Description
Silver & Enamel
From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Silver Box by Komyo 光明. The Silver box of rectangular form with rounded corners features the Three Wise Monkeys to the front, see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. The monkeys cast beautifully with naturalistic features wearing humorous enamelled haori (羽織). The box is covered with katakiribori (engraving with an angled chisel emulating brushstrokes) of persimmon plants. Signed to one side Komyo 光明 who worked for Uyeda, the box dates to the later half of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) Circa 1910.
K. Uyeda shop (Uyeda Shoten, 植田商店) was founded in 1884 by Uyeda Kichigoro (植田吉五郎). It is one of the oldest established Japanese silversmiths that is still continues business today. Initially trading in satsuma ware the company gradually began to trade in silver tableware and items of an everyday use that were popular among westerners. In the early 1930s the business was inherited by the Kichigoro’s sons Uyeda Fujiro and Uyeda Yoshimi. The Uyeda company hosted a selection of high profile individuals including American baseball players Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, actress Marilyn Monroe, diplomat Henry Kissinger with his wife, professor and American diplomat Edwin Reischauer with his wife, and others.
While being mostly associated with silverware and objects pre-WWII, just after the WWII around late 1950s the company began to focus more on the cultured pearl jewellery. In 1973 Kichigoro’s grandson, Uyeda Shintaro, introduced Italian jewellery into the company which was uncommon in Japan at the time. Around 1980s the company was entirely focused on selling pearls and jewellery eventually changing the business name from “K. Uyeda” to “Uyeda Jeweller”. The company is in operation till today, located at the Imperial Hotel Arcade, Tokyo managed by the Kichigoro’s great-grandson, Tomohiro Uyeda, and produces and sells jewellery made of pearls, precious metals and stones.
Measurements 8.5cm Long x 6cm Wide x 3cm Deep (3.35 x 2.36 x 1.18 Inches)
Condition Very Good, usage and wear marks consistent with age.
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