Tray with Daikoku, God of Wealth c. 1880 - 1900

This small tray, crafted by the renowned Japanese lacquer artist Shibata Zeshin, features an image of Daikoku, the god of wealth, in gold on a dark blue lacquer background. The tray, dating back to the late 19th century, exemplifies Zeshin’s mastery of maki-e (sprinkled gold) and other intricate lacquer techniques. Daikoku, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is often depicted with a bag of treasure and a mallet, symbols of prosperity. Zeshin's artistic style, characterized by its meticulous detail and elegant composition, is showcased in this small, yet exquisite piece.