Imperial Presentation Carved Lacquer Box by Toyoyama & 6...

An extraordinary, historically documented Japanese lacquer presentation set. It features a large cinnabar-red carved lacquer box in traditional Kamakura-bori style, showcasing a high-relief carved scene of a figure under a pine tree on the lid. The box lid is signed by the artisan 豊山 (Toyoyama) in the lower right corner. Inside, it houses 6 black lacquer soup bowls (Wan) with their 6 matching lids, decorated in gold and red Maki-e with the "Three Friends of Winter" motif. Notably, every single bowl and lid features a matching gray/silver lacquer workshop maker's mark on the base/underside, proving the absolute integrity of the original set. The inside of the box lid features a formal gold lacquer inscription documenting a high-level presentation: • Center: "Gift in Commemoration of the Conferment of an Imperial Decoration" (贈 叙勲記念) • Right: "Chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, Shigenao Okubo" (東京都議会 議長 大久保重直), who served from 1963-1965. • Left: Dedication to "Professor Hidegorō Uchida" (内田秀五郎 先生), a legendary politician in Tokyo's history (1876-1975). Provenance: Sourced in Tokyo during the 1990s by the current owner's uncle, an Italian diplomat. Dimensions: • Outer Box: 37 cm x 26 cm x 12 cm • Individual Bowls: Approx. 11 cm (Diameter) x 10 cm (Height) Condition Report: The set shows significant signs of age, wear, and authentic usage, which are fully documented in the photographs: • Outer Box: The high-relief red lacquer lid displays multiple visible surface scratches, light scuffs, and general wear to the finish. The structure and gold inscriptions remain crisp. • Bowls & Lids: One bowl features a notable chip/loss of lacquer and wood core along the upper rim. Another bowl shows a stable hairline crack on its base ring. Almost every lid shows lacquer flaking and small losses, particularly on the inner rims. One bowl has faded gold decoration (revealing the red under-layer), and another lid has lost its original glossy luster. Packaging and Shipping: The lot will be packed professionally with individual protective layers for each marked bowl and lid to prevent further lacquer flaking during transit. Shipped worldwide via tracked courier.

Estimate:£0.84

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