Antique German "Summer Brett??" Tray 1800's

Hello Forum, I am helping a local charity thrift shop identify unique donated items and came across this unique tray. Little rough but had an interesting note attached in German about this "Brett" or board/tray - please see pics attached. Thanks! @verybrad @Poisonivy

 

I don't read German so can't speak to the note. Tray appears to be Japanese lacquer. Would think 20th century rather than 19th.

 

please show pic of note.

 

Hi note is attached..in German

 

Thanks Brad...Japanese tray via Germany to USA...

 

Liebe Heidi,
dieses Servierbrett stammt von Deinen Urgrosseltern....
aus dem Jahre 1840...

Dear H, this server/ tray dates back to your great-grand-parents...
appr. 1840...
Should your great-grand-mother have brought it into the the marriage/family then it could be from 1800...

two problems. family hear-say and the script is not earlier than 1920s, rather later into the 1950s.

 

As Brad said, a Japanese tray.
I find dating Japanese lacquer very difficult, it is easier when there is more going on in the design. I have seen pristine pieces from the 17th century, and don't know enough about the development of single motifs.

 

not oo sure about that. Urgrosseltern would be written Urgroßeltern in Germany and with the normal ss in Switzerland, Austria and other German-speaking regions like parts of Belgium, Luxemburg, Alsace etc..