Carved Red Lacquer Tray with Birds and Gardenia

Yuan dynasty, 14th c.
Incised inscription: "Made by Zhangchang"
Red lacquer inscriotion: Yinchuang Tongfang

Decorative trays were usually placed under vases and incense burners displayed in reception rooms. Many of these trays came from China and were made of a carved lacquer technique. This is difficult technique involved the application of many thin layers of black and red lacquer on a wood base to create a thick lacquer surface into which the design was then carved. The motifs for these works vary from birds and flowers, figures and pavilion, to repetitive sword-pommel patterns. In Japan, carved lacquer ware are classified by the color of their final coat: tuisyu, or carved red lacquer, for red surfaces; tuikoku, or carved black lacquer, for the black surfaces.