Lacquer Trays (obon). The flat and large surface of trays is ideal for expansive designs of lacquer. An added value is that lacquer resists damage and is useful for serving food. The tray can also be displayed on a shelf as decoration in smaller homes. No end of subjects are portrayed, usually in Togidashi maki-e lacquer which has a polished and usefully flat surface. Other treatments afford variety to any collection of lacquer trays. One below is made of laminated pieces of different woods in a design that is then given a lacquer coating, all on an under-base of lacquer.
Tray (27 cm x 27 cm) Togidashi maki-e. Bamboo silhouette, diagonally directing the eye to the moon. Meiji period (1868 -1912).
Large black lacquered wood deep tray (38 cm x 38 cm) decorated in gold and polychrome accents with three birds among flowers and bamboo above a stream at the bottom. Meiji period (1868 -1912).
Lacquerware wooden tray (36 cm x 27 cm) with country folks partying. Diagonally composed from right to left. Meiji period(1868 -1912).
Tray (52 cm x 35 cm) made of laminated wood and Togidashi maki-e designs and details. Diagonal division of sections, Meiji period (1868 -1912).
Lacquerware tray (38 cm x 24 cm) inlaid with a frog on branch and butterfly above Hiramaki-e flowers. This is similar to Togidashi maki-e—but without polishing smooth, thus giving a noticeably higher relief to project key compositional features from the smooth background of lacquer. Here, using bronze powder (maybe gold for the butterfly), the bronze stands out in relief from the surrounding lacquer. Early Edo period 1603 -1868).
Large lacquer ware tray (52 cm x 36 cm) with wonderful fine makie.
Extra large rich Lacquered “Mount Fuji” tray (67 cm x 47 cm).
Extra-large takamaki-e (low relief of gold figures) serving tray, (60 cm x 40 cm x 6 cm). Note overall makie-e sprinkled sky, water (and also the background).
Large black lacquer tray (52 cm x 39 cm) decorated with egg-shell inlaid camellia flowers. Shōwa period (1926 – 1989).
