A set of 4 Chinese square black lacquer trays with gold-toned geometric flower and ruyi designs and a metal border. The trays date from the 18th century.

Dimensions are: 1/2 inch tall X 4 inches wide. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: One has several hairline cracks in the rim, another has a crack across the base, and all have minor age wear to the surface.

Provenance: From a collector in Washington D.C. Her father in law (Nelson T Johnson) was sent to China by the US State Department in 1906 and was a US ambassador to the Republic of China from 1935 to 1941. After he left China he became an ambassador to Australia. In 1946 he became the head of the Asian Department in the US State Department. The woman’s husband was also born in the Marine hospital in Peking in 1933.

High resolution images can be found at: https://file.ac/0zEQpDiBldI/