Petite Tea Tray

Simple lines, a modest form, and a layer of hand-brushed lacquer give this petite Qing-dynasty tray a provincial charm that recalls the warmth of home. A tray like this would have been used to serve tea or food to friends and family gathered on traditional kang daybeds, likely the cause of the circular ware on the base. The brown lacquer finish has weathered from use to reveal the light brown coloring of its pine wood construction.

The underside of the tray is painted in a contrasting yellow brushwork of Chinese calligraphy. The original iron staples can be seen on the corners of the tray which were used to reinforce the exterior edges. Today, we love using footed small trays like this as serving platters or catch-all dishes for jewelry, glasses, and other accessories.