Gourd-shaped Japanese Tray | ||
| Asian Antiques821 of 10167 |  |  |
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Posted 4 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
I'm not sure if this is lacquer or made to look like lacquer, but it is signed w/ two marks on the back. I really love gourd-shaped things and pretty much everything related to tea ceremonies. so this is good for me - new or old!
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ho2cultcha, this is definitely wood! This is a small lacquered wooden tray by the renowned Kyoto firm Zohiko. Their mark on the underside, with its elephant ("zo" means elephant) is distinctive.
https://www.zohiko.co.jp/global/en/
As you perhaps already know, a small lightweight tray like this would commonly be used in Japanese tea ceremony for serving a selection of higashi (small dry sweets) to the guests to accompany their bowl of matcha tea. Of course, this tray can also be used in other contexts, too.
The interlocked circle design is called "shippo" (seven treasures) and is considered auspicious. The design features flowers/leaves of the four seasons, indicating that it can be used at any time of year.
wow! thank you rhine! you've made it that much more special to me.