A pair of filled in and incised red lacquer low stands
紅漆描彩五方幾一對

Ming dynasty, 17th century, China
明 17世紀中國

Height: 51 cm, 20.1 inches
高51釐米

The hexagonal shaped tops are supported on six cabriole legs – each ending in a scrolling leaf foot and resting on a hexagonal base. The tops are decorated with birds resting in flowering trees within a hexagonal central panel, around which are six further shaped panels of flowering plants each divided by a geometric design. Below the tops, the waist of each stand is deep and pierced by a shaped opening; this is surrounded by a decoration of lotus flowers and scrolling leaves. The bases echo the tops – with the same decoration on the upper surface, and designed with a short waist pierced by openings.