Tiered Food Container (Jiriroko)

One of the most typical and prized forms of Ryukyuan courtly lacquerware is the food server, composed of multiple stacked levels and a lid. This fine example is decorated with pieces of seashell, cut and set into the lacquered surface to create delicate landscape and floral motifs. Shell inlay can be found on Chinese and Japanese lacquers of an earlier period, but Ryukyuan artists elected to use very iridescent shells for a dramatic multicolored effect.