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JAPANESE LACQUER BOWL

Price: $130.00
Item Number: 08-709
Years ago, gold and sliver decorated Indopersian weapons and armor could be bought so cheaply that it was difficult to imagine that they were hand made antiques. Today those same items sell for approximately 50 times their cost in the 1970s. Thats recognition of their artistic and historic value and performance which far out strips the vast majority of investments and compares to being inside at the conception of the internet mega giants. Such opportunities are rare, but still exist. A few years ago, we recognized another area of antique art which offered greatly disproportionate value for its price, Japanese lacquer work which is the laborious application in many layers over time, of a pigmented compound of natural resins (not paint) which hardens to a virtually impervious finish. When applied to delicately hand made wood vessels, they become works of art, true to the Shinto tradition. The techniques are nearly endless incorporating other materials such as mother of pearl and powdered gold and silver. Others expose the wood core, are incised and some are even branded. The results are true works of art with subjects drawing on nature and Japanese mythology and folk lore. Over the years, weve collected many examples and have decided to share these small treasures with our clients. These are welcomed in any setting, home or office and many are museum quality. A fine comprehensive collection can be assembled with a modest investment and they make thoughtful, unique gifts. Many have been purchased throughout the year and set aside for holiday gift giving of an heirloom treasure as well as saving time and avoiding aggravation later.

Red/orange body color with lovely fine scene of a bridge spanning a river with a forest to the left and steep mountain to the right. A pair of thatched buildings nestles in the mountain side and a large tree spreads above, all executed in low relief with the flanking scenes both incorporating gradation of pigment from black to gold. The inside of the cover with a scene, in gold, of a peasant polling a log raft along the river. Fine quality and pristine condition as encountered from households where domestic staff assured preservation of such valuables.




Layaway is available for this item.