Chinese Export Rosewood Tray on Stand

A Chinese export silver inlaid rosewood tray on stand c1870. Absolutely beautiful in its simplicity this sensational tray has a silver N inlaid into the centre which could be for Napolean III or the initial of the person who ordered it. The tray surface is strung with inlaid silver strips and has cast silver corners with bamboo shaped silver handles. It sits upon a folding rosewood stand. The ritual of tea serving attained great importance in both China and Japan and curiously was mirrored in Europe with ladies taking great pains with the objects used and the time and place of serving. The French though co opted the process for coffee surving rather than tea!

Dimensions: 71 cm x 48 cm x 68 cm tall