Late 19th Century Square Wooden Tray With Mother-of-Pearl Bird and Peony Inlay

Details

Description

This is an exquisitely crafted square wooden tray featuring intricate mother-of-pearl (nacre) inlay work. Crafted from a dark, richly grained … Read more This is an exquisitely crafted square wooden tray featuring intricate mother-of-pearl (nacre) inlay work. Crafted from a dark, richly grained hardwood with a deep, nearly black patina, the tray features a raised, scalloped gallery edge accented with small, evenly spaced dots of white shell. The tray rests on a recessed, geometric base.

The center of the tray is beautifully decorated with a detailed nature scene. Two birds with iridescent green, blue, and purple wing accents are depicted in flight around a central cluster of blooming peonies. The artisan has utilized various tones of iridescent shell—including bright white, pale yellow, and deep pink—to create the blossoms, leaves, and birds against the natural wood background. The grain of the dark wood provides a striking, high-contrast background that makes the iridescent shell artwork stand out beautifully.

The tray is solid, substantial, and features a smooth, polished finish. It serves as a stunning decorative accent or a functional piece for serving tea and organizing small items on a vanity or coffee table.

Dimensions:

Length: 28 cm (approx. 11.0 inches)

Width: 28 cm (approx. 11.0 inches)

Height: 6 cm (approx. 2.4 inches) See less