Plate with Peony Decoration

A circular plate carved in relief with several peony blossoms, buds and leaves, the flowers rendered in layered petals around stamen centers. The red lacquer is carved deeply on a darker ground, and the blossoms are set in overlapping sprays across the surface.

Look closer: Small round buds tucked between the leaves near the center right of the plate.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 1300s–early 1400s

Medium

carved cinnabar lacquer on wood

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2834 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Collection