Tray with Design of Cranes in Flight, 17th century

  • Ryukyuan, Japanese

Lacquer, wood, mother-of-pearl, and gold

  • Overall: 1 3/8 × 11 3/4 × 11 3/4 inches (3.5 × 29.8 × 29.8 cm)

Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mrs. Howard J. Stoddard and Mr. and Mrs. Stanford C. Stoddard

1987.32

Above an inlaid bank of bamboo and reeds, nine cranes fly amid scattered clouds of incised gold. The central scene is framed by four dragons within elongated windows set against a diaper-patterned ground composed of coins. These symbols invoke a blessing of long life (cranes), power (dragons who command the clouds), and wealth (coins).

(Klaus F. Naumann, Tokyo, Japan)

1987-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Bulletin of the DIA 64, no. 2/3, 1988, p. 23, fig. 16 (ill.).

Ryukyuan, Japanese, Tray with Design of Cranes in Flight, 17th century, lacquer, wood, mother-of-pearl, and gold. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mrs. Howard J. Stoddard and Mr. and Mrs. Stanford C. Stoddard, 1987.32.