A Japanese lacquer worker's bowl. Liquid lacquer (urushi) would be mixed and kept in this bowl as a reservoir while a lacquer craftsman worked on a piece. After each project a small amount of lacquer would dry in the bowl before the next project. Over the years and many colors of lacquer the bowl has built up numerous layers of lacquer revealed after the rim and interior was polished. The foot of the bowl with a carved number, 170 (一七〇), for use by the lacquer worker studio to identify the particular color and lacquer batch and to avoid using the wrong color lacquer when being used over several days.
20th century
8” diameter x 4¼” high
