Japanese Lacquer Tray with Maki-e and Inlay Hara Yoyusai Edo Period

A lovely Japanese lacquer rectangular lacquer tray with a slightly scalloped corner and four L shape supporting feet by one of the most celebrated lacquer artist active in Edo period Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845). Yoyusai lived in Edo (Tokyo) and worked under the patronage of Lord Matsudaira. He operated a large workshop and had a very prolific output of lacquer objects. Most survived pieces being inro,, netsukes and smaller objects of art, larger pieces like this tray are rare. He worked with painter Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) and his student Suzuki Kiitsu (1761-1858), who supplied him with many designs in Rimpa style for the maki-e decoration on his lacquer work. Their close collaboration led to a revival of the interest in Ogata Korin's Rimpa style work, a generation before them.
This rare tray by Yoyusai was decorated with motifs of bundles of various spring grasses, achieved with takamakie of contrasting heights. Many broader water crest leaves with exquisitely inlaid with raden (mother of pearl) and reflects the light beautifully. On the left upper corner, unexpectedly, one finds two buckets of silver or pewter sheet inlay (difficult to tell without polishing) that contains a bundles of the plants. This is a subtly playful touch that breaks the visual expectation of the design pattern, while suggesting an underlying story. There must be a person who is collecting the leaves, but remains out of the picture frame. A beautiful maiden, perhaps? shy at the sight of a stranger? Under the tray, the artist signed the studio name Yoyusai and also with his Kao.
For another tray of the exact same shape but different maki-e design, see Lot 230 of the Bonham' s London Sale: The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art; Part V on Nov 5th, 2014.