This listing is for a vintage Echizen-nuri lacquerware tray made around 50-60 years ago. This item is a small, square tray ideal for serving tea for one. It is made of wood and features black lacquer on the top and bottom, with brown lacquer along the sides. The lacquer has some wear but the tray is still very sturdy and perfectly useable. *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TEA UTENSILS IN THE FIRST PHOTO ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH THE TRAY. Echizen-nuri lacquerware refers to lacquerware produced in Fukui Prefecture. History goes as far back as 1500 years ago when lacquer painters were tasked with repairing broken crowns of the imperial family. During the late Edo period, the makie technique was introduced from Kyoto, along with the skills of making gold inlaid lacquerware from Wajima. These days highly skilled artisans each perform different steps for completing one single piece of lacquerware. There are as many as 120 steps; and with the coating, drying, sanding, and re-coating it can take up to one year to complete just one piece. The wood most commonly used for Echizen wares is Japanese zelkova, Japanese cherry birch, Japanese horse-chestnut, and Japanese chestnut. Makie refers to a crafting technique in Japan from presumably the Nara period. Craftsmen sprinkle gold or silver metal powder over successive layers of lacquer before it dries. Traditionally pure gold powder, pure gold flakes, and pure silver powder were used to complete motifs on lacquerware. The process of applying gold or silver powder requires both time and skill. At first the craftsman sketches out the design. He or she then adds charcoal powder to the base of the relief, and then a layer of urushi lacquer. Gold or silver powder is sprinkled over the wet lacquer, which acts as an adhesive. The surface is polished and then the process is repeated over and over until a beautiful raised pattern appears. Size H.1.7cm (0.6”) x 25.5cm (10”) x 25.5cm (10”) Condition It’s in pretty good condition aside from some scratches and scuffing (mainly on the bottom), and some general wear on the sides and along the edges. THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION **Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia: NO SHIPPING. Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries. We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. **USA: Airmail (approx. 15-28 days). Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive. If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable. **UK and Canada: EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days). Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive. If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable. **Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days). Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message). **Asia: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days). Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message). **Russia: No shipping methods available.
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