Tray in the form of double lotus leaves. Carved of keiyaki (zelkova) wood with a red lacquer finish. Signed on the reverse with a carved signature by the artist: Tesseki To or Carved by Tesseki, and with a kao (Fujii Tesseki, active early 20th century). Taisho 12 or 1923.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Hasu (no) Ha Shiki Ko-bon or Lotus Leaf Shape Incense Tray; and on the reverse of the lid: Tesseki Sanjin … Saku or Made by…Mountain Hermit Tesseki, and sealed twice (the lower: Tesseki). On the reverse of the box, the owner of the tray wrote: Taisho Ju-ni-nen, Go-gatsu Niju-go-nichi, Ota or Taisho (era) 12th Year, May 25th, Ota (Bought This Tray).

Fujii Tesseki studied under Kano Tessai (1845 – 1925). Tessai had studied Chinese literature and painting before becoming a professional painter and sculptor. In 1890, he became a professor at the Tokyo Art School, dividing his time between Tokyo and Nara where he lived. With his teacher, Fuji Tesseki shared a deep feeling for wabi and evanescence, clear even in the literati style of his signature, Tesseki Sanjin.

Tesseki carved trays for sencha tea ceremony. Often habon or in the form of leaves, these were for displaying an incense burner or for seasonal leaves and fruit.

With these leaves, Tesseki suggests the height of summer when lotus ripple and curl sinuously. Mushikui reveal the traces of a few hungry insects, a few tears the track of the wind.The lacquer surface catches light and gleams, textured and shadowed by the veins and folding edges. In perfect asymmetrical balance, the smaller leaf plays off the folds on the larger. A masterpiece of sculptural carving that conveys a sense of wind-ruffled leaves; the perfect idea in the heat of summer.