Set of Japanese Marubon Trays in Red and Black Lacquer, 1910s

Dimensions: height 3 cm, diameter 48 cm and 44 cm.

The trays have a deep, warm red interior and a black, slightly raised rim. The larger and the slightly smaller tray nest neatly together and can be stacked when not in use.

The wood is finished all around with a traditional urushi lacquer layer that has developed a softly glowing patina over time. Along the rims the black lacquer is gently worn in places, while on the red surface faint rings and traces of use remain visible – marks of countless cups of tea and small dishes. This gives the set an honest, well-loved character without compromising the function of the trays.

The trays date from the Meiji period, around 1900, bringing a fragment of Japanese daily life from more than a century ago into your home. In a contemporary interior they are highly versatile: as serving trays for tea or sake, as underplates for a tea ceremony, as a stage for ceramics and ikebana, for candles and objects on a coffee table, or as a decorative accent on a sideboard.

An atmospheric, authentic set whose strong red–black contrast instantly adds focus and Japanese character to any space.