Recently acquired at auction after doing a bit of research in the hope that this tray is what I think it is.
Black lacquerware tray measuring approx. 35cm across, with two mother-of-pearl five toed dragons with flaming pearl in the centre. Daiper pattern around the rim as well as auspicious symbols?
Base is plain black lacquer with no identifying marks as far as I can tell.
A lot of the mother-of-pearl inlay is missing as you can see and there is damage around the inner rim as well as the parallel cracks to the outer. More nibbles here and there.
There is one like it, though larger, at The Met (Tray with Pair of Dragons).
I did buy in order to sell but firstly, i need help from the people in the know and quite frankly, i dont.
Any information and advice will be greatly appreciated and thanks, even if you just came to have a look.
The damage may be quite extensive but it's gorgeous none the less.
