Large Wooden Opium Tray with Mother of Pearls inlays

  
This large opium tray was made in the 19th century using a very fine exotic wood. The mother of pearl inlays starts around the border with vegetal patterns. The main plate is outlined by a fine line resulting in geometrical pattern and the depiction of a bat in each corner. Adjacent to each corner we find a small scene representing a fisherman returning to his wife. All four frames show the same scene but they have all been crafted individually thus showing differences in the attitudes of the characters.

The space around the scenes are filled with vegetal decorations. In the center part which is outlined by another fine inlayed line, we see two large blossom peony flowers, a symbol for wealth and prosperity. The tray is in good condition, although it has bent a little with the age. There is about 1,5 cm of irregularity; the tray does stabilize its self as other heavy object would be placed on it.

A gap has formed between the border and one of the large sides of the mains surface. But the tray remains in a solid state. The mother of pearl inlays suffers of several missing parts as seen in the pictures. The central missing spaces have been filled with wax.

We also notice a few burns to the wood. All these marks attest of a heavy use; the passage of time is heavily condensed in this object for us to appreciate. Height 2 cm (0.79) length 67 cm (26.38) width 45 cm (17.72). The item "Large Wooden Opium Tray with Mother of Pearls inlays" is in sale since Friday, April 26, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian/Oriental Antiques\Chinese\Other Chinese".klay" and is located in Neuchâtel. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Region of Origin: Chinese
2. Age: 1850-1899
3. Original/Repro: Antique Original