Set Of Three Chinese Export Trays

A rare set of three early 19th Century Chinese Export lacquerware trays; each having a central scene of a Chinese landscape with figures and then decorated with borders of dragons and foliage all in gilt on a black ground. It is exceptionally rare for a set of trays to remain together, they are usually seperated due to damage etc.

Lacquer trays were one of the most popular items for merchants to bring back from Canton to sell into the growing luxury markets of Britain and America. Luckily we have a highly detailed description of Benjamin Shreve's voyage to Canton on the New Hazard in 1815. Among his investors was Joseph Peabody of Salem, MA who specifically requested a set of 5 tea trays which were commissioned from the lacquer merchant Yinqua.

Literature

The China Trade (1972) C. Crossman

Smallest Tray Width: 18.75" (47.5cm)

Smallest Tray Depth: 14.25" (36.25cm)