Antique Japanese Kamakura-Bori Lacquer Flower Tray with Antique Rosewood Stand

Dimensions: 10-1/4” dia. x 1-1/4” deep x 5-/14”h (with stand)

Offered is a beautiful Kamakura-Bori flower tray in burgundy/crimson color from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). This style of lacquerware was developed by these craftsmen, who began lacquering wood carvings and specifically architectural elements and containers used for rituals at Zen Buddhist temples. The rise in popularity of the tea ceremony at the end of the Muromachi era (1333-1568), expanded the range of pieces to include items such as presentation pieces for the tea ceremony. In addition, the bold patterns of the carving are strongly expressed through unique carving techniques. Later in the Meiji era, Kamakura-Bori was typically produced for the ruling class of feudal Japan and often depicted religious and floral images. 

Based on the rendering of the motif of this flower tray, and the carving style, reveal that the tray was made by an accomplished Japanese artist. The featured motif on the surface is that of modified chrysanthemum flower petals, (chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and is said to bring good luck to households and businesses, and represents a life of ease), detailed and textured to give a three-dimensional effect. The object is signed on the bottom by the artist. Finally included in this offer is a Chinese hand-carved rosewood footed stand in great detail to honor and present this beautiful creation. 

Condition: Excellent condition with no apparent flaws or wear from use. It has developed a beautiful muted texture over its lifetime. The stand is in the same perfect condition.

Additional Information: The three main steps of producing Kamakura wood carvings are shaping the wood base, carving, and coating which consist of a minimum of six steps (Undercoating, First coat, Middle coat, adding the raw lacquer, and finally the finish color lacquer coat). As a finishing touch after polishing, a more painstaking cloth polishing and polishing with susudama or baked clay powder is done to complete the Kamakura-bori creation. 

The design, creation, and fabrication: First the artist creates a sketch providing a visual representation of what he/she wants to make. Then sketches are copied to traditional Japanese paper with aodake or green bamboo dye, before being traced onto the wood. Japanese Judas wood is typically used for its softness and flexibility. The three primary wood-shaping techniques used are hikimono-kiji, in which the wood is carved using a turning lathe, sashimono-kiji, in which the wooden boards are assembled using joinery, and kurimono-kiji, in which a shape is carved out of a wooden foundation.