Japanese Meiji Lacquered Wood Dish w/ Maki-e Snowflakes

East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful lacquered wood dish with gilt snowflakes across the surface. The dish has a small ring base with a painted makers mark for the Zohiko workshop within an oval. The frontside has slightly incurved walls around the shallow basin. The surfaces are painted with black lacquer, and gilt snowflakes are scattered across the interior basin. Each glimmering flake is different in shape, size, and painting technique! Two flakes are flush with the surface with small flecks of gold in the center - this metallic painting technique is known as maki-e. The design is painted in lacquer then powdered gold is sprinkled over the wet surface. Once dry, a second layer of lacquer is added to fix the powder in place. The area is then polished to make the design flush with the rest of the surface. Several other gilt snowflakes are slightly raised from the rest of the surface giving an interesting tactile quality to the basin. Just like actual snowflakes, this plate is unique and special! Size: 7.75" Diameter x 1" W (19.7 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private Evergreen, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA, collection, acquired 1960 to 2000

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#164068
Condition Report: Chip to foot rim. Maker mark is clearly stamped on case. Some minor discoloration and use commensurate staining to basin. Mounted on modern wire for display.