Cinnabar Bangle

Debating on this piece. I don’t see the layers of the lacquer so I wonder if it’s molded resin. Maybe not modern but some kind if earlier imitation?

 

I agree, an older imitation. Looks like it is lacquered as in lacquer varnish. The way you see on old Chinese cabinets.

 

Exactly my thought. Not carved lacquer but lacquer over something. Wonder what’s the base material. I guess is not hand carved but molded?
Also, look at the picture of the inside with the cracks. I guess the bangle is not one whole piece.

 

Also, is it just me or this looks like a character?

 

It looks like one for sure - maybe a signature?

 

According to Real Or Repro

Before modern plastics, the most common way to reproduce carved lacquer was to first make molds of genuine pieces. These molds were then used to make plaster copies. The copies were then painted with thick reddish-orange paint and sold as carved cinnabar. Slightly better reproductions were made by coating the plaster with a single layer of lacquer as a top coating. Another pre-1940 imitation was a type of red putty that was pressed in molds. This material was heat sensitive and often softens and blurs details.

Wonder if some of the above is the case here?
I feel like heating a needle. But what to look for? I doubt is carved wood underneath so it should smell like plastic and melt if resin?
What if it's plaster?

 

I don't think a hot needle is of any use to you in this case.

Looks like it is, there is white 'stuff' here and in some other places:


My guess is molded plaster on a wooden bangle base (the splits on the inside) and painted. Another guess is ca 1910-20.