Japanese Wooden Oke Lid, Wabi-sabi Display Stand, 1910s

This compact round object was originally the wooden lid (futa) of a Japanese rice or steaming bucket – an oke (ohitsu) used in the traditional kitchen. Turned upside down, it now becomes a low, solid stand with a strong, almost sculptural presence.

Dimensions: height 12 cm, diameter 35 cm.

Years of use, moisture and heat have given the wood a deep, warm tone. The edges are darkened and lightly charred, with craquelure and small cracks; the two solid supports underneath are almost blackened. These traces of fire and time are exactly what give the piece its distinctive wabi-sabi character.

In an interior, this object works as a serene display that draws the eye to whatever you place on it. Use it as a low pedestal for an ikebana arrangement, a ceramic vase or a small sculpture, or place it in the middle of a table with candles, fruit or a stack of books. In a shop or gallery setting it is also an ideal styling piece for presenting jewellery, ceramics or other special objects in a natural Japanese way.