A unusual Japanese lacquer worker’s work bowl. This large bowl with dramatic heavy rim would have been used to mix lacquer, oxides and colorants before being applied to a surface. Lacquer is a refined sap from the urushi tree (Rhus verniciflua) related to the sumac tree. When being applied to a work it is a viscous oily liquid, which often drips on the craftsman's work surface, building up over the years After each project a small amount of lacquer would dry in the top of the box, over the years gradually creating a painterly surface.
20th century
16” diameter x 4 ¾” high
