Flower-Shaped Tray (Rinka-bon)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

With a lobed silhouette inspired by Chinese flower-shaped ceramics and lacquers, this tray represents the high esteem in which medieval Japan held imported Chinese art works (karamono). Such precious objects came to Japan with the introduction of new schools and teachings of Buddhism, especially that of Zen. Chrysanthemum-shaped trays were made by Japanese craftsmen from around the mid-thirteenth century. Most of these trays were used with tenmoku tea bowls to serve tea.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art