Serving Tray with Angled Corners

Serving Tray with Angled Corners

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Probably used to hold a simple meal of rice, soup, and vegetables, this tray derives its shape from ceremonial offering trays made of pieced cypress; implements of this type have been used in Japan since the eighth century. Quotidian objects such as this one, which are made of wood covered with black and red lacquer, are treasured in Japan for the effect created over time as the black base emerges from beneath the worn red lacquer topcoat.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Serving Tray with Angled CornersServing Tray with Angled CornersServing Tray with Angled CornersServing Tray with Angled CornersServing Tray with Angled Corners

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.