Set of 6 Antique Japanese Lacquer Serving Trays with Gilt Mount Fuji

A set of six Japanese lacquer serving trays from the early to mid-20th century, these have long had a place at the table at Chanteduc, Patricia and Walter's farmhouse in Vaison-la-Romaine. They arrived, as so many beautiful things did, through a Japanese friend — someone who, Patricia recalls, always came bearing lovely objects to accompany a meal. Each rectangular tray is finished in a deep, warm vermilion lacquer with gently raised edges and hand-painted in gilt with the same classic landscape: Mount Fuji rising above still water, a windswept pine, drifting clouds. With age, the gold has softened from shine into something closer to warm amber, and a light patina across the lacquer surface speaks to decades of careful use.