hddennis Posted December 5 Report Posted December 5 Wife has never liked this box but it has fascinated me ever since I first laid eyes on it. An elderly Japanese lady left it and a few other Japanese antiques to us. It looks like it may have a bit of age and it definitely took a great deal of skill to create. I love the butterfly hinges and the fish eye latch. It appears to have no visible seams. It measures 3x4x1.5 inches. What say you fellows? Howard Dennis 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted December 6 Report Posted December 6 It might be a SHODO box, a container for writing equipment, MEIJI era. From the looks of it, it could be made of lacquered leather or papier mâché, but you can guess that by its weight. You will certainly have tested with a magnet if it is thin iron? Right after the end of EDO era, many sword artisans were forced to look for other kinds of work, so an armourer might have been able to make this as well. 2 Quote
John C Posted December 6 Report Posted December 6 Looks like a few techniques went into the construction, repousse, chasing, and applique. Interesting detail where the maker used only one rivet to attach the butterfly wing hinges to keep the Japanese asthetic. John C. 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted December 6 Report Posted December 6 A wasp and a persimmon? What a great object! Congratulations. The uchidashi is nice, as are the fish latch and 蝶番 ‘Chō tsugai’ butterfly hinges. No markings? 1 Quote
hddennis Posted December 6 Author Report Posted December 6 2 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said: A wasp and a persimmon? What a great object! Congratulations. The uchidashi is nice, as are the fish latch and 蝶番 ‘Chō tsugai’ butterfly hinges. No markings? No, I was surprised it wasn't signed. Howard Dennis Quote
hddennis Posted December 6 Author Report Posted December 6 5 hours ago, ROKUJURO said: It might be a SHODO box, a container for writing equipment, MEIJI era. From the looks of it, it could be made of lacquered leather or papier mâché, but you can guess that by its weight. You will certainly have tested with a magnet if it is thin iron? Right after the end of EDO era, many sword artisans were forced to look for other kinds of work, so an armourer might have been able to make this as well. Yes, it's made from thin iron so I too thought possibly an armourer made it. Also the wasp wings appear to be made of brass. Howard Dennis 1 Quote
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