Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund

Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund

Small lacquer tea bowl with black and light orange design on an orange-red background. The interior is solid orange-red. The top and bottom of the central design is bordered by a pattern of bands. Firstly, there is a band of alternating orange and black stripes, then a pattern of black triangles on an orange background, followed by another series of stripes. The background central design consists of a tiny orange-red grid set on black. On top of this, there is a large leaf or paisley motif in light orange and black. There are also three exuberantly dancing figures. Each figure wears pants that bunch at the ankle, a sash with a fringe at the end tied around their waist, and a long sleeved shirt and head scarf. The pattern of each of these items of clothing differs from one figure to the next. The bottom of the bowl is solid orange-red.

Small lacquer tea bowl with blue, yellow, green design on an orange-red background. The interior of the bowl is painted solid black. Central design on circumference of bowl is bordered by series of lines. First band is alternating yellow and orange-red stripes sandwiched between blue lines. Second band is alternating green and orange-red stripes sandwiched between blue lines. Central design is set on an orange-red background with tiny yellow dots. On top of this background there are two bands of alternating green rabbits in profile and blue flowers within blue circles. On bottom of bowl, there is small circle forming base. The interior of this base is painted black. The remainder of the bottom of the bowl is painted solid orange-red.

Small lacquer tea bowl with black and light orange designs on an orange-red background. The interior of the bowl is solid orange-red. Around the top and bottom of the central design there is a border consisting of a series of bands. Firstly, there is a band of alternating light orange and black stripes. Then there is a band of black triangles on a light orange background; following this band, is another band of stripes. The background of the central design has light orange fish scales on a black background. There are various figures in the foreground. One figure is wearing pants which cinch at the ankle, a sash and bracelets. This figure has one knee bent on the ground and one knee up. Their arms are bent at the elbow with hands facing up. The person faces a small peacock. There is also a large snake with a fat belly. Following the snake, there is a large four-legged animal with swirls on its torso and a long tail. Finally, there is a hybrid figure with a human-like torso and bird-like legs and tail. In one of its outstretched arms, the hybrid figure holds a cloth. The bottom of the bowl is solid orange-red.

Small lacquer tea cup with black and orange designs on an orange-red background. Interior of bowl is painted solid orange-red while the outside is decorated. The central design is bordered at top and bottom by a small pattern: there are alternating orange and black stripes with a black triangular design in the centre. The central design has a small black and orange design in the background that resembles fish scales. In the foreground is a large design in relief, etched into the lacquer. This design consists of curled shapes resembling the letter ‘8’. The curled shapes are vertically stacked. The bottom of the bowl is solid orange-red.

Large lacquer tea bowl. The inside of the bowl is solid orange-red. The outside of the bowl has an elaborate design in green, black and light orange against an orange-red background. There is a stripe patterned border around the top and bottom of the central design. The border has alternating orange-red, black and light orange stripes. Within the border is an abstract, curvilinear design in green and orange-red which is set on an orange-red, light orange and black background in a pattern made of dots. The curvilinear lines form frames, 6 in total. In each frame there is one animal painted on a solid black background. Elephants are depicted in 3 of the frames painted in profile in orange-red and light orange. There are abstract circular designs around the elephant’s core. An unidentified woodland animal is represented in the remaining 3 frames depicted in orange-red, light orange and green. This creature is sitting in profile. It has a large tail, long neck and pointed ears. The bowl has a small foot, all black inside.

Small lacquer tea bowl with green, light orange and brown designs on an orange-red background. Interior of bowl is solid orange-red. On top and bottom of central design there is a border featuring lines of alternating orange-red and brown stripes around green triangles, on a brown background. The central design is set against a background with small green fish scale shapes and large animals and beings. One of these figures is a peacock with a bowed head depicted in orange-red, light orange and brown. Also depicted in orange-red, light orange and brown is a leopard or some other type of cat with spots on its body. Another figure has a human-like torso and peacock-like lower portion of body. One of this figure’s arms is raised menacingly. This hybrid figure is followed by a different hybrid. It has a human-like torso and deer-like legs. The human-deer wears a sash around its waist. Its arms are also raised. Interspersed throughout these large figures are smaller figures possibly representing birds or flora. On the bottom of the bowl is a small foot with a brown interior. The remaining surface of the bottom is solid orange-red.

Small lacquer bowl adorned with brown, yellow and green design. The interior of the bowl is painted solid orange-red. Both top and bottom of central design are bordered by a small series of bands. Firstly, there are alternating orange-red and brown stripes, then non-linear yellow lines that resemble waves. then another band of stripes. The central design has orange-red fish scales shapes against brown to form the background. There are green and yellow vine and leaf patterns set over this background. Evenly spaced within these patterns are brown circles. In the brown circles are sitting animals in frontal view. These creatures have long necks and small ears. The bottom of the bowl is solid orange-red.

Small lacquer tea bowl with black and orange designs on an orange-red background. Around the top and bottom of the central design there is a band of black and light orange alternating stripes, then a band of black triangles on a light orange background and then another band of stripes. The central design has a paisley or vine motif throughout. Also depicted are three black elephants in profile. They appear to be running. The interior of the bowl and the bottom of the bowl are painted in solid orange-red.