Description
Pure Silver Jungin Mark
From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to introduce this Japanese Silver and Mixed Metals Box by Hidekuni. The Japanese Box of large rectangular form lined in a dark asian rosewood type hardwood mounted in Japanese pure silver with the pure silver Jungin mark to the base 純銀. The top of the Japanese Box is decorated with a large Shibuichi plaque finished in mixed metals with a large scene depicting a silver mount Fuji to the background and a small holding with thatched roof buildings and gold accents beside a lakeside with two boats docked on the bank and a large pine tree to the foreground. The Shibuichi plaque is signed to the lower right hand corner 秀邦刻, carved by Hidekuni. The interior of the Japanese Box is fitted with an adjustable partition for storing cigars. The Base of the Japanese Box is fitted with a silver plaque reading ” M.A.V Hansen in appreciation of his twenty years valuable services, Yokohama fire and marine insurance Co. Ltd. 1937 – Fortieth Anniversary.” The Japanese Silver and Mixed Metals Box by Hidekuni dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the turn of the 20th century and was later gifted in the Art Deco period as a retirement present.
Shibuichi 四分一
is a Japanese copper alloy which is patinated into a range of subtle greys and muted shades of blue, green, and brown. The colour of Shibuichi varies depending on the alloy mix with colours ranging from dark brown to a light grey.
Jungin 純銀
meaning “pure silver” was used predominantly during the Meiji Period to identify the objects made from pure silver.
MEIJI PERIOD
was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era.
Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist Namikawa Yasuyuki.
MEASUREMENTS
6.5cm High x 21.5cm Wide x 14.5cm Deep (2.56 x 8.46 x 5.7 Inches)
CONDITION
Very good – excellent, side hinge removed
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