Featured Japanese MOP on Lacquer Box; is This Post-War?

Discussion in 'Art' started by wlwhittier, Jan 26, 2023.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Black lacquer on wood, ~13" x ~9 1/2" x ~2 3/4", ~34 ounces. The carp is made from 13 individual pieces, not counting his whiskers.

    There are numerous small injuries from indifferent handling, which I haven't pictured. The interior an' bottom are the same glossy black, without adornment. Please note the brown lacquer accenting the rim around the cover.

    I cannot say with any certainty that this is from uncle's estate, 'tho I have serious doubts; he was far too careful to have damaged it in so many places. Mostly I'd like to know whether it was made before or after WWII. There's no signature that I can find. Thanks for lookin'!


    7EA7F1C0-9C7B-4551-A7F7-9E8DE4686A8B_1_201_a.jpeg 094EA807-AC50-49BE-93B0-CE2BD04C58F3_1_201_a.jpeg 09B3A62F-81B8-4089-B470-0D462E147386_1_201_a.jpeg FF5C89AA-5DD1-488F-B83E-8430F8225FD5_1_201_a.jpeg F642C052-24B0-424E-B868-28E965B44BEC_1_201_a.jpeg A6B9C46F-7BE1-4E9F-A955-4B56C3031A54_1_201_a.jpeg 7DF7781A-A505-4B28-A219-DB06FF07F718_1_201_a.jpeg
     
  2. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Looks VERY NICELY done! So, it's lived a little!! Still beautiful!! But I can't speak to the age.....AND on taking a THIRD LOOK, I would ask you to take a look with a Loupe or Magnifier inside of where I've circled in RED....TWO AREAS...the upper one is very tiny that "looks" like it could be a signature...and the lower one...slightly larger that also "might" be a signature, to ME, but of course, I could be wrong too....in both cases.....BUT the smaller upper one looks like it starts with an "N" and ends in an "i"....

    A6B9C46F-7BE1-4E9F-A955-4B56C3031A54_1_201_a.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2023
    wlwhittier likes this.
  3. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    It is lovely. Id buy it !
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  4. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Thank you, Aquitaine...I'll re-examine those spots...an' report my findings here tomorrow!
     
  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Gorgeous box, and I'd guess post-war. Could we see the inside?

    I would be very surprised if it were signed, especially in the abalone/MOP bits, but no harm in checking. I think the circled areas are just natural patterns.
     
  6. Lark

    Lark Well-Known Member

    Ditto on beautiful.
     
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  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Exactly so, AJ. The larger oval does contain a bunch of scratches, as it is very slightly proud and so catches more wear. The small one is just a weird black speck...no info there, either.
    As far as a look inside...it's black, highly glossy, and my old camera demands something to find its focus. I'll try, but can't promise acceptable results.
     
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Maybe put a pen inside?
     
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  9. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Would never have occurred to me! Funny how blind we can be in spite of a long life. I'll get you pics, for sure.
     
  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    ;)
     
  11. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    The first pic is the interior of the box; the second is the cover interior.
    Some of these lacquer boxes have a 3rd part: a simple, flat panel sized to fit easily inside; Lacquered on all surfaces to match the interior, an' completely without adornment. I have a much smaller example of such, an' will post pics of it in Art soon...you'll like it, I promise!
    The artifact I used for focusing the camera will be shown in better detail, an' explained, in Metalware pdq.

    DFAE0311-F15A-4A65-B5A5-94CF4873EF58_1_201_a.jpeg D16DBFA2-9515-45D8-9E05-A9AAB60140A5_1_201_a.jpeg
     
  12. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    is that a jean shirt you're wearing ........? :playful:
     
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  13. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Fine if NOT siggys, I just feel anything that 'might' be a signature is at least worth checking on!!!
     
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  14. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Naw...LL Bean Chamois, in blue.
     
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  15. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Definitely post-war. Possibly 1980s, thereabouts.
     
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