round tray with straight, short sides on a tall, round pedestal and wide base; black ground with gold flecks, and gold and mother-of-pearl chrysanthemum design

(Ceremonial Offering Stands, one of a pair), 18th century

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Since ancient times, the Japanese have paid homage to Buddhist deities by making offerings of food on high-footed lacquer stands placed before painted or sculptural images. This pair of ceremonial stands was created in the early eighteenth century by the renowned lacquer artist Nagata Yu_ji, who adorned the background of lightly sprinkled gold with a stylized pattern of chrysanthemums, rendered in gold, mother-of-pearl, and silver. Because chrysanthemums are autumnal flowers, these stands might also have been used by an aristocratic woman to serve sweet round rice dumplings, reminiscent of the full, harvest moon.

Details
Title
(Ceremonial Offering Stands, one of a pair)
Artist Life
active 1711 - 1736
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2001.206.1
Curator Approved

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round tray with straight, short sides on a tall, round pedestal and wide base; black ground with gold flecks, and gold and mother-of-pearl chrysanthemum design