Description: Lacquered wood
Japan, Edo period (1603 - 1868), 18th century
Published and illustrated in Thomas E. Kirby, The Art collection formed by the late Heber R. Bishop, New York, 1906 – catalogue number 1559.
The tray is decorated in dense matt and sprinkled gold with gold and silver hiramaki-e painting of ferns on a hillside with hirame. The border with floral foliage and the base with dense nashiji. The tray is supported by two joyful karako facing each other. Their robes are elaborately adorned in gold, silver and red lacquer with floral and brocade patterns. The sleeves of one boy decorated in gold and silver hiramaki-e depicting various takaromono, the treasures associated with the seven lucky gods. Rare and beautifully executed composition.
Shape: Figural shape; the tray of flat, lobed form
Dimensions: 22.8 cm (width), 12.5 cm (height)
Condition: Outstanding and fully original condition with one chip on the foot of one boy and a small scrape to the edge of the robe
Provenance: From the important collection of Heber R. Bishop with collection no. 4048 on the base