Small Serving Tray with Maiden Flower Design, late 18th century, Attributed to Yamamoto Shunshō VI, Japanese, died 1803, 2 3/8 × 10 11/16 × 10 3/4 in. (6.03 × 27.15 × 27.31 cm), Lacquer, Japan, 18th century, Originally from a set of ten, the five trays on display here show a variety of plant motifs associated with the seasons, and executed in hiramaki-e (low sprinkled picture) with gold and pigmented powders. The bottom of one of the trays bears the seal 'Shunshō,' for the family of lacquer artisans. The Shunshō school was established by Yamamoto Shunshō (1610-1682) and continued on until the end of the 19th century. Shunshō I was well known for his mastery of the togidashi-e (polished out picture) technique, which is used on these pieces. However, the naturalism of the plant designs indicates that this is a later piece by either Shunshō V (Jirobei, b. 1734) or VI (Masanori, d. 1803).