Featured Small Maki-E Wooden Kogo, Minor Damage

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by wlwhittier, Aug 21, 2025.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    it's 91.5 x 67.5 x 41mm; weight is 50 grams. The base an' cover have what appear to be plated brass rims; those on the base suffer some plating loss. The thin mating flange on the base has lost perhaps 20% of its lacquer, but those don't show when the cover is on. There's also lacquer loss on the base bottom, at the corners.
    As far as I can tell, it is unmarked.
    I don't believe it has any serious age to it; 20th C almost certainly. But whether pre-war, GHQ era or post-1952...that is my question.
    As always, thanks for lookin'!

    @916Bulldogs123 @shamster

    P1450369.jpeg P1450370.jpeg P1450371.jpeg P1450372.jpeg P1450373.jpeg P1450374.jpeg P1450375.jpeg P1450378.jpeg P1450376.jpeg P1450377.jpeg
     
  2. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Very pretty . I love a nice box.
     
    kyratango, Any Jewelry and wlwhittier like this.
  3. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    Too big for a kogo. Kobako (small box) probably for incense. The inside looks like maki-e nashiji. It is older than you think.

    Mikey
     
  4. shamster

    shamster Well-Known Member

    I’m not any expert in these box lol but I think that shape is often seen in Meiji and earlier box
     
  5. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    A real beaut Whit.
    Mikey & Shamster- Good answers and faster than AAF.
     
    johnnycb09, wlwhittier and shamster like this.
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Sweet little box. I am with the others, Meiji period, maybe even earlier.
    The outside also looks like nashiji to me, but the flakes are slightly bigger.
    So do I.:) Where would the world be without boxes.:happy:
     
  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    I am delighted to hear of the potential age of this wee treasure! Given that, should I look much more diligently for some mark? How may I learn more about these type boxes?
    YES! Thank you all for this thumping encouragement!
     
  8. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    A wonderful generous bunch of folks here !
     
  9. shamster

    shamster Well-Known Member

    You can always check past auction catalogue for similar boxes ;) I.e. easyliveauction, their price guide are free and I always use them for eye candies

    there are more examples on Japanese online auction sites and museums, the latter might have English database. I feel lucky that being Chinese makes researching Japanese stuff particularly easier, tho I barely understand the language :D
     
    Figtree3, wlwhittier and Any Jewelry like this.
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