19th Century Black Lacquer Japanese Crumb Tray
£110
A 19th century black lacquer, scallop shell, crumb tray. The decoration is a typical Japanese Crane in flight with a pond below and associated flora and fauna. The decoration implies this particular piece is of Japanese origin albeit there are English and French pieces of this type with chinoiserie decoration. The scallop shell shape was popular in both England and France and one has to take care to consider that, as there was no original trade from Japan until the 1860s and the Europeans had been producing their own version of black lacquer ware for a long time (Japanning had been popular in England from the late 17th century and throughout the 18th and into the 19th).
Rightly these items are seen as works of art and today make great display pieces.
The size of this tray is 12 inches wide and 10 inches front to back, the dish is approximately 1 1/2 inches deep.
Condition, there are no breaks nor chips or cracks, the decoration is largely in tact, a little rubbing to the dragonfly and some surface dirt which could do with patient cleaning. The spots do show up in the photographs, but are really not evident in normal light and viewing.