This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of luxury history.
Up for sale is a stunning and substantial solid silver tray, handcrafted in Japan by the renowned Tokyo silver workshop K. Uyeda, established in 1884 by master silversmith Uyeda Kichigoro (植田吉五郎). This remarkable piece dates from the 1930s–1940s, during a golden age of Japanese craftsmanship and global luxury.
According to direct correspondence with the Uyeda Jeweller store in Tokyo, this tray was confirmed as an authentic K. Uyeda creation from that period. While the company no longer retains records from the prewar era, the design, and hallmark all align with their known production from that time.
This tray was produced during the time when K. Uyeda operated from their prestigious showroom located inside the Imperial Hotel Arcade in Tokyo, a building famously designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1920s. That version of the hotel, considered a masterpiece of early modern architecture, was one of Wright’s most celebrated international works and was known for catering to foreign dignitaries, elite travelers, and high-end retailers like Uyeda.
Though much of the original hotel was later demolished, Uyeda’s presence in that landmark building during the 1930s–40s links this tray to a culturally rich and historically significant period of design and diplomacy in Japan.
Over the decades, K. Uyeda became a favorite of international dignitaries, celebrities, and statesmen, including:
This tray reflects the era when fine silver was both an art form and a cultural statement.
Founded by Uyeda Kichigoro in the late 19th century, K. Uyeda (植田商店) rose to fame through its exquisite Satsuma ware and, later, handmade silver tableware. The company attracted the attention of foreign residents and elite Japanese clientele alike. In 1922, it moved into the luxurious Imperial Hotel Arcade, and even after the devastation of the 1923 earthquake, it rebuilt and thrived through the 20th century.
By the 1950s, the business began specializing in cultured pearls and European-style jewelry. Today, now known as Uyeda Jeweller, the firm continues to operate in Tokyo under the direction of Tomohiro Uyeda, the great-grandson of the founder.
Whether displayed in a luxury setting, added to a fine silver collection, or admired for its historic and cultural value, this tray offers something far beyond utility. It is a conversation piece, a collector’s item, and a relic from a period when design, quality, and craftsmanship were paramount.
This item ships from Hawaii, so please note that shipping costs and delivery times to the US mainland and other destinations are higher than typical domestic rates.
Ships fully insured with tracking and signature confirmation.
Silver prices are rising — make an offer while it lasts.