Antique Chinese Inlaid Marriage Tray With Figural and Floral Scenes, Late Qing

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A beautifully detailed 19th-century Chinese round tray, finely crafted in lacquered wood with inlay work likely carved from horn. Measuring … Read more A beautifully detailed 19th-century Chinese round tray, finely crafted in lacquered wood with inlay work likely carved from horn. Measuring 11.5" in diameter and 2.5" high, this rare tray rests on four pierced carved feet and features a continuous inlaid frieze of five figural scenes—likely depicting a marriage or domestic narrative—interspersed with botanical motifs such as orchids, bamboo, and birds.
The artistry is exceptional, with line-etched and filled inlay work that wraps gracefully around the tray’s curved sides, an indication of high-level craftsmanship, as curved inlay is notably more complex. These trays were often gifted as part of a wedding trousseau or used in elite scholar or domestic settings. A distinctive collector’s piece that functions beautifully as tabletop decor. The warmth of the lacquer, combined with the pale horn inlay, offers striking contrast and visual richness.

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