Foliated hexagonal dish

This type of deeply carved lacquerware often shows alternating marbled layers of lacquer in varied colors, which are visible from slanted cuts. The technique of this particular piece, tixi, consists of carving through the alternating layers of black and gray instead of the more common black and red. The dish itself is elegant in design, with both symmetrical beauty and elegant patterns that accentuate the rhythm of the continuous cloud or magical lingzhi motifs. Clouds are associated with the essential energy or qi of the universe, whereas the lingzhi fungus is associated with longevity and healing power.