Chinese black over red carved cinnabar lacquer jars

Red and black lacquer applied over a bronze jar form with interior and base glazed with thick deep brilliant blue enamel. The bronze jars are first applied with red cinnabar lacquer which has been finely-carved with an undulating wave design. Overlying the red is a thick layer of well-carved black lacquer landscapes including rocky cliffs, trees, islands, dwellings and boats. On the neck is a deeply carved repeating floral design; a floral design also surrounds the tall foot. Framing the bottom of the landscape is a band of chrysanthemum petal carving encircling the lower body. The lids are carved with a floral arabesque surrounding a chrysanthemum carving and topped with a bud-shaped knop in carved solid black lacquer. The exposed areas of the bronze on the foot, mouth and lid rim are gilded. Jars are a mirror-image pair in very good condition with minor wear to the gilding on the foot and lid rim.

Height: 8 in.; Width: 5 ¼ in.