Japanese inkwell age

Hi all was hoping someone has an idea on the age of this inkwell. Does have text on the inside of lid. Around 6 inches wide and is made of a cast metal of some sort nothing really similar to find when I Google. I hope asianfever pops past to hopefully translate.

 

I'd say early 20th century.

Black ink, red ink, and perhaps water, or a brush in the middle, for cleaning the pen-points. And up the back, probably postage stamps.

 

Thanks shangas yeah reminds me of a couple of meiji period items I have but you never know

 

I would imagine it'd be around that era, yes. Late 1800s-early 1900s. Probably sometime between about 1880-1910.

 

Love it.
I'm with Shangas, 1880-1910. So Chris you are right, Meiji period, late in this case.
Asian Fever may not be able to make sense of Japanese, depends on the kind of script used, I think.

 

@Asian Fever to the rescue???

 

Japanese antimony inkstand, as already suggested, could be late Meiji, or a little later - nice the inserts are still intact, though a bit battered. Here is one somewhat similar (unfortunately, only an interior view), believe it's earlier than their dating: http://www.quicksales.com.au/ad/vintage-japanese-antimony-double-inkwell-dragon-1950s-7cm/6958203

I can probably find some similar in my old catalogs, will check when I get a chance...

~Cheryl

 

Here's a double inkwell in a desk set, from a 1917 catalog:


And one from a 1919 catalog:


~Cheryl

 

I feel it's not Japanese. It should be Chinese, most likely Taiwan or Fujian Province.
I agree it's late Qing. It should be before Chinese republic period (before 1911).

The words reads from right to left side (rather than left to right nowdays).
"案新用实录登" ----- "practicial recording new ware" (old language hard to translate)
"壹九九" ---- "991"(read from right to left, it should be the serial number)

The word in the front is "福" ----- "blessing"

 

Sensational pictures thanks cheryl amazing to see the prices of the day. I would say mine would have been silver at one stage.

 

Thanks asian appeciate your efforts. I suppose the only reason I would think it was japanese would be the mountain possibly being fuji and I was always under the impression japanese dragons had three toes chinese dragons had 5 but I'm not the expert. Thanks for translation very happy at the age a little bit battered but I love it
Thanks everyone again

 

Personally, would be surprised if it's Chinese, especially with the Mt. Fuji motif - and have seen similar 'Blessing' symbols as a decorative elements on numerous antimony boxes, etc. over the years, most marked 'Japan', 'Made in Japan', or with the trademark of a Japanese firm...

Regarding the dragon's toes, the '3-toes'/Japanese, '4-toes' and '5-toes'/Chinese rule (or '4-toes'/Korean) doesn't always hold true - there are numerous examples of fully marked Chinese Export silver with 3-toed dragons, including a Tuck Chang piece in my collection. This discussion, and one linked in the topic, delve into the toe issue: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=28763

~Cheryl

 

It could be used for exporting to Japanese market(but there's no reason it does not bear Japanese) or under Japanese colonize(for government or business use at Japanese colony in China).
Thus, it could be produced between 1895 to 1910. Also Liaodong Peninsula is another location which it is very likely made.(Even though Liaodong Peninsula was actually under control by both Russia and Japan)