Vintage Japanese Lacquer Large Tray | Board, Bekko-Nuri Tortoiseshell Urushi, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-007-2

Vintage Japanese Lacquer Large Tray | Board, Bekko-Nuri Tortoiseshell Urushi, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-007-2

A stunning square urushi lacquerware tray finished in a rich tortoiseshell-patterned surface of deep crimson, black, green, and gold -- a rare example of mid-century Japanese craft at its most dramatic.

A nurimono is a traditional Japanese lacquerware object -- in this case a flat serving tray -- finished with urushi, the natural sap-based lacquer that has been central to Japanese decorative arts for over a thousand years. This particular tray showcases a striking bekko-nuri (tortoiseshell lacquer) surface treatment, in which layers of translucent red, deep black, forest green, and amber pigments are built up and manipulated to create a richly mottled, organic pattern that reads almost like a living landscape under close inspection. The square form with gently rounded corners and a low raised rim is characteristic of quality mid-Showa Japanese lacquerware, and the high-gloss finish speaks to careful, patient layering by a skilled craftsperson. Collectors of vintage Japanese craft and handcrafted Japanese lacquerware will recognize this tortoiseshell effect as a prized decorative technique, far more labor-intensive than simple solid-color lacquer work.

Today this tray is as versatile as it is beautiful, making a bold living room accent or dining table centerpiece when displayed flat. Use it as a drinks or tea-service tray to bring an authentic wabi-sabi aesthetic to your table setting, or place it on a sideboard as a catchall for keys, candles, or small objects in an entryway. Its jewel-like surface also makes it a stunning wall-mount display piece in a Japandi-style interior. Whether gifted as a unique housewarming gift or kept as a collector's centerpiece, it adds immediate warmth and history to any modern home.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood base with multiple layers of urushi lacquer; bekko-nuri (tortoiseshell) surface in deep red, black, green, and amber
• Use: Traditional Japanese serving tray for tea or food presentation
• Modern Use: Decorative display tray for living room or entryway; tea or drinks serving tray; wall-mounted lacquerware art piece
• Features: Square form with softly rounded corners; low raised rim; all-over bekko-nuri tortoiseshell lacquer pattern; high-gloss finish with deep color variation visible across the surface; black lacquered rim and underside
• Dimensions: 26"W x 26"D x 1"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and captivating piece of vintage Japanese lacquerware -- the bekko-nuri tortoiseshell surface brings centuries of craft tradition and unmistakable warmth to any modern interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.