This is a handmade Chinese lacquer rectangular tray, finished in flowing gold lacquer (Liu Jin, 流金) over a solid Burma padauk (缅甸花梨) body, by HFDlacquerware (禾丰鼎). Made for the scholar's desk or the center of a low table, it is a landing spot for whatever collects there — a stack of cards, a stone, a cup, or nothing at all.

Layer upon layer of natural raw lacquer (生漆), mixed with gold-toned mineral powder, is applied by hand, and the gold settles into its own pattern during the lacquering process, so no two trays come out alike. The surface deepens with handling over time rather than staying the same as the day it arrived. It makes a considered gift for someone who already has plenty of "nice things" and would rather have one that is genuinely singular.

Gold set into black lacquer, like someone poured the night sky into a tray. For anyone who loves nature but can't always get out to see it, it brings a piece of it back indoors, right there on the desk.

Also available in rhino skin lacquer: see the Black & Gold, Red & Gold, and Black & Blue versions.