A CINNABAR LACQUER 'LYCHEE' POURING VESSEL, YIMing dynasty, 16th/17th centuryConstructed with layers of red cinnabar over a metal core to form the loop handle opposing a curving spout and low walls; the lacquer layer carved in relief with a leiwen band below the lip, intricate diaper patterns defining the lychee fruit branches and background encircling the low walls and a peony petal band along the foot, the interior well and concave base showing a layer of worn gilt lacquer.5in (12.7cm) long, across handle注脚The intricate diaper patterns carved onto lychee fruit and background on this libation cup also appear on many cinnabar lacquer seal paste boxes manufactured during the Ming dynasty. A crack in the lacquer layer exposes a grey-colored metal core on the cup that seems to correspond with the alloy of lead and tin described as the core in a Ming cinnabar lacquer lidded box with similar decoration, now on exhibition at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (The Avery Brundage Collection, B65M2.a-b). See also a second lychee-decorated cinnabar cylindrical box and cover on a metal ground (The Avery Brundage Collection, B65M15.a-b), dated 1500-1600 and illustrated on the collection website.