Houghton USA

Antique Japanese Black Lacquer

Cryptomeria Wood Soup

w/Gold Dragonfly & Wisteria Flowers, Leaves, and Vines

C. Late Meiji Era —c. 1910

This auction is for a fabulous work of classic Japanese art--a brilliant two-piece, Black Lacquer Soup Bowl that is approximately 100 years old!

This antique Japanese Black Lacquer Soup Bowl features a form of art work that is extremely costly to recreate today. 

Japanese lacquer is widely considered to be the finest in the world. This extremely fine example does not disappoint with over 20 coats of refined Japanese "urushi" lacquer over a hand-turned, cryptomeria wood cup that is as light as a feather and weighs only 3.3 ounces (94 grams)! 

DETAILS

This is a late Meiji Era (c. 1910) handmade lidded soup bowl.  It is made of hand turned cryptomeria wood, with over twenty layers of black lacquer and a hand painted gold makie design of wisteria flower, vine and leaves, as well as a dragonfly in flight.

A testament to their durability, both lid and bowl are in very condition throughout with only one tiny blemish on the gold wisteria flower on the lid (please see macro photo).  It was stored in a warehouse in its original cryptomeria wood box for most of its 100 years. 

It measures about 4.68" in diameter x 3.5" high (12 x 9 cm) and weighs only 3.3 oz. (94 grams). 

Please note there is a tiny blemish on the large, gold, wisteria flower on the lid.  (It is very tiny, but I wanted to mention it.  See photo # 7 for a macro view of the flower.)

Please look carefully at the 4x macro photos as they are part of the description.  

The white spots are from the lights I used to illuminate the bowl so as to show the wonderful detail of this work of art.

What a great Wedding or special Birthday present!