Japanese Serving Tray with Fruit Motif

Two small yellow-leaf birds, or maybe blossoms, scattered across a dark lacquer field.

This lacquered wood serving tray with a fruit motif from Japan is from Japan, and dates to the 20th century. Trays are used in Japan to carry food and tea, and a flat wooden tray with a raised rim is a simple and practical shape. Square dark brown panel with a narrow yellow border and a beveled edge. Two sprigs with fine veined leaves are inlaid in yellow, one carrying a flat, bird-shaped bloom and the other a smaller tilted bud. It is 10.5 inches wide and 10.5 deep.

A lot of black, and just enough yellow.