Description
SOLD
A fine Chinese mother of pearl inlay tray of square form, with gentle outwardly flaring edges and ever so slightly chamfered corners; the back a deep reddish brown (and possibly re-lacquered at some point in history). The front surfaces and edges decorated in thick incised mother of pearl inlay, possibly from haliotis shells, with subtle iridescent hues of green, blue and pink. The main surface depicts a figural scene taking place next to a tall pavilion. Gentlemen and their companions are engrossed in a game of chess on a terrace, while others engage in lively conversation. Willow and pine trees along with rocky surfaces frame the composition, while diaper grounds representing water and land provide additional ques for depth and perspective. The outer edges of the tray decorated in a repeating coin pattern.
Frequently this particular shell color, thickness and “layered” inlay technique is most often attributed to the Ryukyu islands rather than being Chinese mother of pearl. An inkstone box in the Tokyo National Museum is decorated in the very same bi-level three dimensional inlay technique, as is another 17th-18th century box held in the collection of the Urasoe Art Museum in Okinawa. However, the British museum collection contains a low table using the very same mother of pearl technique and is dated as Chinese & 18th-19th century. Noteworthy, is that this particular piece was donated by Sir Harry M Garner, the noted author of the book “Chinese lacquer” and was acquired in China,. This could either mean it was made in China, where the technique originated. Or possibly it was made in the Ryukyu islands and sent to China as tribute or as trade goods, as historical records allow for both possibilities. A small incense box recently auctioned at Poly Auctions was dated as Qing and also considered as Chinese mother of pearl. Complicating the matter further, the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds an incense box in a similar style of decoration but is attributed as an 18th century Kyoto copy of Ryukyu mother of pearl. So while this tray is listed as Chinese at the moment, conclusively determining a Chinese or Ryukyu provenance at this time is difficult without further scholarship.
Materials: Mother of pearl on paper over a wood core.
Condition: excellent condition
Japanese wooden box
Provenance: Japanese private collection
Size: 19.8 x 19.8 x 2.2 cm
