Japanese Serving Tray with Pomegranate Motif

Tray in black with a split golden fruit tumbling from a twisting branch.

This lacquered wood serving tray with pomegranate motif is from Japan, and dates to the 20th century. The pomegranate reached East Asia from western Asia along trade routes and is often taken as a symbol of abundance because of its many seeds. Square dark tray with gold edging. A gnarled branch reaches in from the lower left, holding an open, seeded round fruit surrounded by leaves in shades of honey and gold. A thin tendril loops off to the right. It is 10.5 inches wide and 10.5 deep.

Split open, spilled over, and golden through and through.