A JAPANESE LACQUER 'CRUSTACEANS' OFFERING DISH

Meiji period

The circular top with two large prawns realistically rendered in gilt takamaki-e against feathery leaves of water weeds, all encircled with a concave cavetto, resting on three curved legs joined by a shaped apron and decorated with crushed iridescent raden (abalone shell), creating a shimmering effect of green, pink and purple against black lacquer

15cm high, 25cm diameter

The location of the intricate prawn design suggests, that rather than as a stand, the present lot was used as an offering dish for a private home shrine, with only light items such as a piece of fruit or a mochi being placed on the delicate top on a layer of washi paper as an offering for the ancestors or an image of a Buddhist deity.

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