A Squircle Tray, although I’m sure Christine would have called it square. It was carved while she lived in Okinawa as a birthday present for my father, hence it’s signed “Benny 1956”. While researching the lacquer finish, I learnt that these were done in the Negoro lacquerware style with a red layer overlaying a black layer. This is done with the intention that the red layer would gradually wear away to reveal some of the black underneath, helping to showcase its contours and texture. This tray certainly shows plenty of wear.

A simple rendition of traditional bamboo.