Chinese Wood Serving Tray

Tapered tray with a rim, wearing a reddish finish with grain streaks.

This pine wood serving tray is from Fujian Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. Fujian Province, on China's southeastern coast, has a long history of woodworking, with carved and lacquered household objects made for local use and trade. Flat, trapezoid-shaped tray with a low raised edge and a stepped moulding around the border. The deep red-brown finish shows vertical streaks and darker patches, with softly rounded corners and a slightly worn centre. It is 30 inches wide, 17 deep and 1.5 high.

Built to hold things politely, and built to be admired.