Chinese 19th Century Lacquered wooden Wash Bowl / Planter / Standing Bowl, 57.5cm long

Chinese Lacquered wooden Wash Bowl / Planter / Standing Bowl. Late 19th or early 20th Century.

This striking lacquerware 'bowl' is constructed from wood and decorated with red lacquer exterior and black lacquer inside. The bowl stands atop a 4 legged base, and is of typical barrel style construction, with 2 metal bands used to strengthen the joints.

The interior would have been watertight originally, although we do not know the original purpose of this vessel. It has been suggested it may have been a wash bowl, but equally could be used for a variety of general purposes.

The lacquer is now worn and cracked, with wear to the wood, commensurate with age. Some splits to one of the wooden segments in the bowl.

An unusual piece - we have only come across 2 similar examples before, both of which have been described as Chinese. We feel that this is indeed possible, but it could also have originated in Vietnam in our opinion.

An attractive and substantial example of Asian lacquerware.

Size: Approx. 30cm high. Bowl is 57.5cm long x 37.5cm wide (approx 12 inches high x 23 inches long x 15 inches wide).

Interior size of bowl compartment: 42.5cm long x 28.5cm wide x 12cm deep (17 inches long x 11 inches wide x 5 inches deep).

Weight: Approximately 3.1kg.

Provenance: Private Scottish Collection.