Description
This Japanese bronze and mixed metals box dates to the Showa period, circa 1930, and is finely decorated with 24 karat gold and silver inlay in the manner of Fujii Yoshitoyo, to whose workshop it can be confidently attributed. The rectangular box is fitted with a hinged lid and decorated with a detailed landscape that demonstrates the exceptional quality of the workshop’s mixed metal inlay.
The lid is decorated with an elegant landscape centred around a silver inlaid Mount Fuji overlooking a traditional Japanese village and beautifully framed in a silver border. Finely detailed buildings, including a multi storey pagoda, are surrounded by trees and fencing, while a gently arched bridge spans the river to one side with a figure carrying two suspended buckets. Three boats sail in the distance beneath the mountain, creating a balanced composition executed entirely in gold and silver against the rich dark patinated ground.
The sides are decorated with delicate sprays of cherry blossom in contrasting gold and silver, echoing the decoration to the lid and adding further detail to the otherwise plain black patinated ground.
Opening the box reveals a brass lined interior, which has remained in remarkable untouched condition with an even rich colour throughout. The quality of preservation extends across the entire piece, retaining crisp inlay, clean surfaces and an excellent patina.
The underside is signed K24, denoting the use of 24 karat gold within the inlaid decoration. While not bearing the artist’s signature, the quality of the workmanship, choice of materials and decorative style allow the box to be confidently attributed to the workshop of Fujii Yoshitoyo, one of Japan’s most accomplished makers of mixed metal inlaid bronze during the twentieth century.
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MEASUREMENTS
4cm High x 12.5cm Wide x 9cm Deep (1.57 x 4.92 x 3.54 Inches)
CONDITION
Excellent antique condition
Who was FUJII YOSHITOYO?
Fujii Yoshitoyo (born 1868, Kyoto) was a master Japanese metalworker celebrated for his pioneering damascene techniques and international acclaim. Trained in a family workshop with traditions dating back to the 17th century, Yoshitoyo modernised Japanese inlaid metalwork and received Imperial commissions as well as medals at world exhibitions. His rare creations, ranging from jewellery to intricate decorative pieces, are highly prized by collectors for their craftsmanship, innovation, and historic significance.
For further information see our Makers and Retailers page on Fujii Yoshitoyo.
What is the SHOWA PERIOD (1926–1989)?
The Showa era, under Emperor Hirohito, was a time of dramatic change in Japan. Spanning pre-war militarism, post-war recovery, and the “Japanese Economic Miracle,” the period reshaped both culture and craftsmanship. In the arts, traditional skills such as cloisonné, ceramics, and lacquerware adapted to modern tastes, balancing heritage with new design influences. Today, Showa-period works are valued for their blend of tradition and innovation, offering collectors a direct link to Japan’s transformation in the 20th century.
For further information see our article on The Shōwa Period in Japan: From Turbulence to Transformation.
WHY BUY FROM JACKSONS ANTIQUE?
At Jacksons Antique, we are a small family-run business with over 10 years of experience in the fine antiques trade. We are proud members of LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) and CADA (The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association), trusted by collectors, interior designers, and private clients worldwide.
Every piece we offer is individually sourced, carefully researched, and fully authenticated, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. We provide insured worldwide shipping and secure checkout via Stripe, a global payments provider trusted by companies including Amazon and Booking.com.
With every order, you will receive our latest printed product guide, a certificate of authenticity, and full tracking details so you can follow your item from dispatch to delivery. For complete peace of mind, we also offer a no-hassle money-back guarantee.
We provide flexible layaway options and a level of personal service that larger retailers simply cannot match. When you buy from Jacksons Antique, you are supporting sustainable, environmentally conscious collecting and helping to preserve historic objects rather than contribute to mass production.
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