Tray c. 1925 - 1935

This tray was made by Okumura Kajo sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It’s probably made of pewter or some other metal alloy, worked with what looks like careful engraving. The lines are delicate and deliberate, like the artist was sketching with light. Looking at the surface, you get the sense that this tray is more than just decorative. It's got an interesting tarnished quality. I can imagine someone polishing it up nice, or, leaving it just as it is, letting the metal age naturally, each scratch and stain a mark of its history. The pattern is so intricate, isn't it? There's a real contrast between the simple, functional shape of the tray, and the detailed, almost obsessive decoration. It reminds me that art isn’t just something hanging on a wall; it can be part of everyday life, something you eat off, or, just, you know, look at. It has echoes of William Morris’s design aesthetic, but with a Japanese sensibility. It embraces the kind of beauty that comes with use, time, and a bit of imperfection.