Modernist Cast Iron Tray with Enamel Painted Decoration, Presumed Japanese large gameboard an engraving of the Walter

an engraving of the Walter A

And they come in a great old wooden slide top box with jointed corners and an orange-ish stain

almost rocky variegated exterior dramatically contrasting with silky smooth

now with a nice patina

late 19th/early 20th century I believe

Modernist Cast Iron Tray with Enamel Painted Decoration, Presumed Japanese large gameboard an engraving of the WalterI found this one at my favorite shop in New Hampshire this week, owned by a family of artists and always a treasure trove of interesting things. My guess is that it is Japanese, thought there is no mark cast of iron with enamel painted decoration in black and yellow and red. Perhaps it was made to be an ashtray, with the yellow enameled triangle perhaps pointing to where one would lay a cigarette, and maybe the two yellow circles suggesting a lighter