the low, rounded sides joined by canted incurved corners and set over four low feet, covered overall in glossy black lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl designs, the central surface with a blossoming prunus tree, its thick trunk issuing lean branches of new growth laden with emergent buds and flowers, the longest branches sweeping upward toward the crescent moon above, the interior sides with scrolling chrysanthemum, Japanese wood box (3)

The tray is in mostly good condition for its type and age, with characteristic cracks, minor lifting, and minor losses to the lacquer and inlay (all as illustrated). As expected, there is minor consolidation and retouching (particularly at the corners and at the feet) and a few pieces of mother-of-pearl may have been replaced.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A black-lacquered and mother-of-pearl inlaid rectangular tray bearing the same motif from the Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 2015.500.156), is illustrated in James C. Y. Watt and Barbara Brennan Ford, East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, New York, 1991, cat. no. 56. A similar tray from the Jean-Pierre Dubosc Collection is illustrated in Chinese Lacquer from the Jean-Pierre Dubosc Collection and Others, Eskenazi, 1992, cat. no. 12.