Chinese Bone Tray, Ca. 1.900

This delicate tray comes from China and is hand-made with bone plates (probably buffalo bone) cut and assembled. It is a very antique object as it is more or less a century old. It dates from the beginning of the 20th century (circa 1900). The tray is in very good condition and preserves all the bone plates. There are not missing or broken parts, and both the elegant filigree that adorns the sides and the wavy engraving of the bottom are perfectly preserved. This tray is a beautiful decorative object that joins its attractive look to its old age to create a first-class item, a hundred per cent original. The tray consists of a rectangular bottom plate surrounded by four sides. The sides show a nice trellis carefully cut on the bone plates. Their wavy floral motives provide the tray with enormous lightness. The tray also stands on four trellis-shaped legs, which continue along the sides making up interesting openwork. The bottom is also very attractive: it is decorated with an engraving directly performed on the bone. The engraving is painted black and so the drawing is smartly outlined. In the scene we can see an ancient figure dressed in traditional clothes and carrying a peach and a stick. He is undoubtedly one of the Eight Chinese Immortals, probably Zhang Guo the Old, who is traditionally depicted carrying a peach (the Chinese symbol of immortality and longevity). The figure is surrounded by four beasts, maybe similar to the Japanese Sacred Beasts: the snake-turtle, the white tiger, the Phoenix and the dragon. The beasts symbolize the Cardinal points and also the four elements of nature. The figure attracts our attention because the humorous style of the drawing, which is quite different from the traditional style. This tray is a delicate example of the best antique Eastern art. Its shape will no doubt stand out on the most elegant table or desk. Measurements: 236 mm width x 195 mm height.