Vintage Japanese Tray, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-964 (26M-964-2)

Japanese Woven Bamboo Tray | Vintage Serving Tray & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-964-2

A finely lacquered woven bamboo tray from mid-century Japan -- handcrafted with layered basketry patterns and a warm amber finish.

A Japanese woven tray of this kind is a traditional handcraft object known as take-zaiku, meaning bamboo wickerwork. Skilled artisans would weave fine strips of bamboo into tight, intricate patterns -- here seen in a bold basket-weave field across the tray floor, a geometric fret border along the inner rim, and a crisp herringbone braid along the outer walls and base. The entire surface has been sealed under a clear lacquer coat that deepens the natural amber-to-rust tones of the bamboo and gives the piece a luminous, almost leather-like sheen. Cut-out rectangular handles at each short end allow for easy carrying without any added hardware, keeping the design clean and unified. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese craft from the early postwar period, when regional bamboo workshops continued producing high-quality lacquered wicker goods for both domestic and export markets.

With its long, low profile and rich warm colorway, this tray translates effortlessly into modern interiors. Use it as a living room accent tray on a coffee table to organize candles, small plants, or decorative objects in a wabi-sabi aesthetic. Its generous length also makes it ideal as a bathroom organizer for displaying soaps, botanicals, and apothecary bottles, or as a bar tray for serving drinks in Japandi style. A distinctive and thoughtful housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antiques with real character and age.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo with lacquer finish
• Use: Serving tray; domestic presentation tray for tea or dining settings
• Modern Use: Coffee table display tray, bathroom organizer, bar and entertaining tray
• Features: Tightly woven basket-weave field on tray floor; geometric fret border along inner rim; herringbone braid along outer walls and underside; integrated cut-out handles at each end; full lacquer coat in warm amber-rust tone throughout
• Dimensions: 12"W x 19"D x 1"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique craft -- handwoven, hand-lacquered, and ready to bring warmth and texture to any modern home.

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 and antique 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.