Vintage Japanese Black Lacquer Bon Tray with Folding Stand, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0719

Vintage Japanese Black Lacquer Bon Tray with Folding Stand, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0719

A striking black lacquered serving tray with gold botanical decoration and an integrated raised stand -- an elegant survivor of Japanese vintage lacquerware craft.

A bon is a traditional Japanese serving tray, used to present tea, sweets, or a light meal with the quiet refinement that Japanese hospitality demands. This example from the Early Showa period features a square form with elegantly chamfered corners, finished in a deep, glossy black lacquer. Across the surface, slender botanical stems rise in a spare, asymmetric composition -- gold-painted buds and round seed pods rendered with the restrained brushwork typical of vintage Japanese lacquerware decoration. The raised rim keeps items neatly in place, and the reverse of the tray is fitted with a black-lacquered folding stand with decoratively shaped bracket legs, allowing the bon to be used as a raised individual serving table in the traditional hakozen manner. A plain unfinished wood storage box is included, suggesting the set was carefully preserved over its long life. The overall quality and decorative intent place this firmly within the tradition of handcrafted Japanese lacquer serving ware produced for domestic use during the pre-war period.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese lacquer tray becomes a versatile and visually arresting accent. Prop the tray upright against a console or shelf as a striking piece of living room decor, where the gold-on-black composition reads almost like a hanging scroll. Use it flat as a curated display tray on a coffee table or sideboard -- a refined holder for candles, a small vase, or jewelry. Its wabi-sabi aesthetic and Japandi style sensibility pair effortlessly with both minimalist decor and warmer, eclectic interiors. At just over 13 inches square, it is also a meaningful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage pieces or anyone who appreciates the quiet drama of East Asian decorative arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Wood with black lacquer finish; gold botanical decoration in maki-e style; plain wood storage box
• Use: Traditional Japanese serving tray (bon) used on a raised stand to present tea or light meals
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway display tray; coffee table or sideboard accent; decorative wall prop or collector's display piece
• Features: Square form with chamfered corners; deep gloss black lacquer surface; gold botanical motif of slender stems with round buds and seed pods; raised rim; integrated black-lacquered folding stand with shaped bracket legs; original plain wood storage box included
• Dimensions: 13"W x 13"D x 6 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless example of Japanese vintage lacquerware -- where centuries of craft tradition meet the spare, poetic beauty of nature rendered in gold on black.

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.