Art Nouveau tray. France or Belgium, ca. 1900

Art Nouveau tray. France or Belgium, ca. 1900.
Glazed ceramic, walnut, and brass.
The ceramic plate has a visible crack on the back.
Measurements: 6.5 x 51 x 31.5 cm.

This tray is representative of the Art Nouveau style of around 1900 and particularly clearly reflects the influence of Japonism on European decorative arts. The ceramic plate is decorated with an asymmetrical composition of birds in flight and perched among flowering branches, accompanied by large flowers and butterflies—motifs rendered with delicate linework and a palette of soft tones.

The central scene is framed by a dense floral border on a dark background and by a walnut frame with simple lines, fitted with brass and wood handles. The combination of naturalistic motifs, an open composition, and references to Japanese art reflects the interest of late-19th-century European designers in renewing the ornamental repertoire through designs originating in East Asia.