Japan, Lacquer Tray With Flower Decoration, Late Meiji Period

This masterfully and exquisitely crafted Japanese maki-e lacquer tray from the Meiji period (1868-1912) features a lush decoration of delicately executed plants in gold lacquer on a glossy black background. Its rectangular shape with subtly beveled corners rests on four curved legs, emphasizing the finesse of the whole. The lush decoration covering the top, the lower edge of the tray and the legs, brings together with precision and realism wisteria, chrysanthemums, bellflowers, vine foliage and ferns in a graceful and naturalistic tangle. The shades of gold, punctuated with subtle touches of silver, highlight each petal and leaf with finesse, demonstrating great craftsmanship in both the design and its execution. In Japan, this type of tray was traditionally used to present an incense burner accompanied by its incense set or a delicate ikebana floral arrangement during refined ceremonies. In the West, it is an ideal support for showcasing a collection of precious objects such as inrō or netsuke, or for an elegant breakfast service. Dimensions: 54.6 x 38.8 cm, height 14.4 cm.