@A large rimmed tray, the base being of octal construction. It has
a pedestal, but no cloth reinforcement. The whole surface is covered
in black lacquer.
@The base has a Mother-of-pearl Inlay of paired five-clawed dragons
and clouds around a central flaming jewel.
@Around the rim there is a design of lucky symbols, round fans, scrolls,
hossu (a holy man's ceremonial horsehair flapper), feathered fans,
and a honeycomb lattice with flowers.
@It is in the same style as the pieces referred to as 'black lacquered
round tray with five-clawed dragons' and 'black lacquered round tray
with Mother-of-pearl dragons', which were extensively produced by
the royal Kaizuri Bugyo-sho as tributary gifts for China in the 17th
and 18th centuries.
@In China dragons were thought of as mythical beasts representing
authority, and five-clawed dragons in particular were the ultimate
symbol of the emperor. |
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