Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

A large fine quality Japanese Meiji Period gilded lacquer tray of lobate form decorated with insects and flowers against a black background, circa 1900. The tray is in the form of a five petalled flower (plum blossom) with a wide raised rim and a flat decorated central panel. The detail in the depiction of the gold coloured cricket (or grasshopper), black winged insect (possibly another cricket chirping) and the plants is exceptional. The tray is signed in gold on the front to the left of the cricket (more details below). The underside has a raised foot which separates a black lacquered centre from a red lacquered surround.

The tray comes with a black stained wood (ash or elm) stand that appears to be contemporary with the tray. It is not shown in the photographs above.

Dimensions: 49 x 48 cm
Height 5 cm
Weight: 1.058 kg

Condition: The ray is in good antique condition with minor edge chips and some cracking to the lacquer. There are no losses to the decorative centre panel.

Postage & packing: £10 within the UK

Inscription reads:

東都 'Eastern capital' (Tokyo)

花月 'Kagetsu' (could be a name or literal translation 'flowers and the moon' as title of the artwork?)

齊 Hitoshi
源 Minamoto
This could refer to a 10th century poet who is sometimes referenced on Japanese lacquerware:

雪山 'Setsuzan' (artist's name) + their monogram (kao) at the end