The exterior of this flower pot is decorated all over in red lacquer; the interior and base are coated with black lacquer. The rim of the pot’s mouth, the waist and the base each have a band of copper gilt running round them. A neat fluting pattern runs round the exterior of the bowl. Each strand of fluting is decorated in relief carving on red cinnabar lacquer with a different decorative motif; from top to bottom, the motifs are: cloud collar motif, bat motif, persimmon calyx motif, bat motif again, left-facing Buddhist swastika motif, persimmon calyx motif again, and cloud collar motif again. The piece as a whole resembles a woven bamboo pot, while the neatly ordered decorative motifs create a visual effect reminiscent of a bouquet of flowers. With its exquisite workmanship, this is a work of art fit for a palace.

H: 6.6 cm