Antique Chinese Gilt Lacquer Lobed Bowl

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This 14-inch wooden bowl is a striking example of traditional Chinese lacquerware, likely dating from the early 20th century. The … Read more This 14-inch wooden bowl is a striking example of traditional Chinese lacquerware, likely dating from the early 20th century. The piece features a dramatic eight-lobed (scalloped) rim, finished in a deep cinnabar-toned madder red. The center is hand-painted with a fine gilt (gold) composition depicting twin goldfish among aquatic flora—a traditional Chinese symbol of abundance, wealth, and domestic harmony. The interior rim is further embellished with delicate trailing floral vines and scrolling gold leaf. In Asian decorative arts, goldfish (yu) are highly auspicious motifs due to the phonetic similarity between the word for "fish" and the word for "surplus." A bowl of this scale and detail would have been a prestigious household object, used for serving during festive occasions or displayed as a celebratory centerpiece to attract prosperity to the home.

The warm wood tones and gold accents make this a perfect textural bridge for a room with darker antiques. Try leaning it on a bookshelf or a plate stand to showcase the central goldfish motif, or use it as a low-profile centerpiece.


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