VTG Chinese Cast Iron Tray "Every Day is a Good Day" Dragon, Phoenix Tortoise

VTG Chinese Cast Iron Ashtray/Tray "Every Day is a Good Day" Dragon, Phoenix Tortoise.

Measures 13" long, 6" deep, 1.5" tall.

This is a unique vintage Chinese cast iron ashtray or small decorative tray. The piece features raised Chinese characters and a lovely, aged patina.
​The central characters read "日日是好日" (Rì rì shì hǎo rì), a famous Zen Buddhist saying that translates to "Every day is a good day."
​Along the top edge, smaller characters read "龍虎鳳龜" (Lóng hǔ fèng guī), referencing the four mythical creatures of Chinese cosmology: Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix, and Tortoise.
​The bottom edge reads "待人接物誠信為本" (Dài rén jiē wù chéngxìn wéi běn), a Confucian saying that translates to "Treating people and things with sincerity is fundamental."
​This piece is a wonderful blend of Zen philosophy and Confucian wisdom, making it a unique and meaningful item. It could be used as an ashtray, a small trinket tray, or simply displayed as a cultural artifact.