Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

Red/black incised lacquerware tray

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This wonderful antique Chinese lacquerware round tray on feet is a curiosity. It is round in shape, with closed ends resting on shoe feet, and an opening running along its top, suggesting that it was used to store or safeguard a closed fan, traditional Asian brushes, or chopsticks. It has decorative painting in two colors, as well as lavish incised decorations - swags, lines as though it were music, flowers, etc. - along the long open edges. An unusual fabulous handmade piece, well-loved.

A newsletter reader sent us this alternative view of this piece. We've done a bit of checking, and would revise our description to include the folowing:

My guess is this is from Burma (Myanmar) and was a scroll holder, perhaps for a ceremonial or religious scroll of for use at the family 'shrine'. It could also be from some the the ethnic sub groups that live on border areas of China. Both the decoration and the lacquer colors are more similar to those cultures!

Burmese, early 19th century

Length of tray: 16”; tray width: 2 ¼”; overall height including feet: 3 ⅛”; feet measure 2 ¾” across

Price: $145

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