Description

描漆雜技盆 Han Acrobat Lacquer Plate

這是一隻木胎的漆碟。在墨地上密密的繪满人物和鳥兽. 全碟的構圖雖畧為抽像卻十分生動傳神。正中是一對拿着手戟(漢代流行的短兵器)來舞蹈的表演者，可以看到他們都穿着一模一樣，帯着短翼燕尾的服裝。頭上好像戴上了面具或頭飾的東西。圍着圓心是一系列的舞人，表演着騎術雜技。他們毎人都騎着一隻異兽。它們混有不同神兽的特征，如龍、鳳、鱼虎馬等等。特技包含坐騎、站騎、舞騎、蹲騎等。 很可能是那年代侯族間喜慶的一種活動。歷代的中國漆器紋飾以圖案和鳥兽為主，人物很少有, 這種像形的更難一見。
前屬於雅發沙嘉畧醫生的藏品。

This is a lacquer plate with wooden body. On black background it was fully drawn with pictures of acrobatic performers and rare animals. The design is abstract but lively and expressive. At the center is a pair of performers dancing with ankus (hook weapons). Like the rest of performers on the plate, their dress has cape and tuxedo end. They also wore head decorations, or perhaps masks. Surrounding the center is a range of performers doing acrobatic tricks while riding on the mythical beasts, which has mixed feature of dragon, phoenix, fish, horse and tiger.

The acts are so spectacular, as if it was attempting to record of a circus performance during a noble celebration. The decorations on most of the Chinese lacquers were graphics, flora, birds and animals. Drawing of human kind is very rare, let alone in abstract forms.

The forms are quite interesting and not often seen in Chinese ancient art. One would be able to find similarities to a wall mural at the Collingwood Technical School. It was done by the renowned street artist Keith Haring in 1984.

Diameter: 23.5 cm
Circa Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220).
EX Arthur M. Sackler Collections
(A psychiatrist and collector in the US)