A small lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid kang table

18th century, Ryukyu islands, Japan

Dimensions: 15.3cm x 9.7cm x 5.7cm 6 inches x 3.9 inches x 2.24 inches

The rectangular table top is supported by a narrow waist and scalloped apron on scrolling feet. The surface lacquer is black with the thinner areas revealing a lighter brown creating a tortoise shell effect. The top is inlaid with a standing official in a landscape setting under a tree, attended to by a crouching lady holding a ladle and man carrying a bucket of water. The sides are decorated with two rows of abstract decoration one floral the other geometric, the apron with a typical Ryukyu Islands design motif of bunches of grapes between diaper ground panels.

Similar Examples

East Asian Lacquer, The Irving collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1991, figure 162, 163.