East Asia, Japan, late Meiji to Showa era, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A beautiful vintage wood tray with deep walls and rectangular basin that is lacquered then painted with maki-e, a shimmering gold leaf technique. Off center and overlapping the edge are sinuous, hiramaki-e painted willow withes with catkin buds along the lengths. A larger tree branch with a flower is overpainted upon the willow using takamaki-e technique, a shimmering nacre shell inlaid at the center of the bloom. Hiramaki-e was a technique where metallic powders are applied directly on a smooth lacquered surface, covered with a thin coating of clear lacquer, then polished to smooth and make flush with the rest of the surface. Takamaki-e is similar, but the metallic lacquer is slightly raised from the surface as exemplified by the flowering branch. Size: 12" L x 11.75" W x 3.625" H (30.5 cm x 29.8 cm x 9.2 cm)

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#170263

Repaired, one leg reattached. Chip to lacquer on underside rim and does not affect overall presentation. Rest of the tray and gold inlay is excellent.