Featured Wood Tray with Silver Inlay

Hello!

This tray was a recent thrift store purchase of mine. It measures approximately 26.5 x 19.5 cm across and features some (seemingly) silver figures inlaid in the wood. I thought this might be an easier item to identify, but I haven't been able to come up with much.

I am most curious about what it's age might be, although any information would be appreciated.



There was also a second tray at the thrift store which I did not purchase. It was of a lighter-coloured wood, with the inlay being birds (and the same corner mark on mine). However, the two biggest birds had been peeled off, leaving just some large spots of damage and a couple tiny chicks. The largest figure of mine has been partly peeled, but fortunately, whoever tried to remove him decided to leave him.

I also found one comparible example on Worthpoint (has the same mark). Doesn't give much information, but I'll include it here as well, in case it helps anyone:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/chinese-carved-wood-tray-silver-metal-105191700

And as always, thank you for your time!

 

I would have said Japanese , from their love of metal inlay...

it's really sweet !!!

 

Agree, it is Japanese.
The man at the table is wearing a Japanese civil servant's headdress.

 

Dang that is fantastic. I’d love to have found that. Very elegant thing!

 

Japanese does indeed make sense.
Thank you all!

 

Anyone read the old mystery series The Case of Judge Dee?

 

No, and I've read hundreds and hundreds of mysteries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dee

Debora

 

I read the original Dutch ones as a child, and enjoyed them very much. Here the judge is called Rechter Tie. Rechter=judge, Tie is pronounced like tee, only a shorter sound.