Oval Wooden And Mother-of-pearl Tray (southern China/indochina), Late 19th Century

Oval wooden tray inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Manufactured in the Far East (Southern China/Indochina), late 19th – early 20th century.

This Far Eastern tray (from Southern China and Vietnam) was produced for export at the end of the colonial period.
Central scene: The composition depicts a narrative scene with figures, pavilions, and traditional architecture, all within a landscape of pine and willow trees.
Auspicious motifs: The sides of the scene are adorned with decorative medallions containing stylized versions of the Chinese characters Shòu (longevity) and Fú (happiness/fortune), typical elements of Asian decorative art with propitiatory value.
Border: The outer frame is decorated with stylized floral and plant motifs that harmoniously frame the main scene.
Period: Technical analysis of the motifs, the quality of the marquetry, and the use of wood as a support suggest a probable date between 1880 and 1920 (late Qing dynasty/Chinese Republican period or French Indochina).
Condition: Good, consistent with its age. The object displays the natural patina of the wood, with slight traces of wear on the surface and back. The marquetry is in good condition.