A Zitan melon-leaf-shape tray Qing Dynasty, 18th century

naturalistically carved, made from several smaller pieces of wood and originally covered in lacquer, the large central furled-edge leaf with insect holes set with smaller attendant cup-shaped pods along the side, the reticulated stem attached to a smaller leaf, the underside similarly carved with two branches exposed, the wood of deep-brown tone with characteristic gold flecks

The tray may have been attached to something else on the underside as there are about a dozen small holes that appear to be 'plugged' with zitan pegs. The lacquer has rubbed off revealing the sections that were pierced together to create this tray. The sections all seem to be contemporary with each other as the patina and the polish match.
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