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Japanese Match Safe with Hiroshige Style Figures browse these categories for related items... Directory: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Pre 1920: item # 772367 Please refer to our stock # 6-441 when inquiring.
B & C Antiques P. O. Box 291 Derby, CT 06418 203-929-7312 Guest Book SOLD |
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Each side of this most unusual brass match safe is decorated with relief figures running in a rainy landscape scene inside a cartouche surrounded by a scaly repousse dragon. Meiji period; late 19th/early 20th century. The two figures are hunched forward, running into the driving rain, one with an umbrella and the other holding a straw bundle. The scene is evocative of the sudden shower in Hiroshige’s woodblock print “Kameyama” from the famous “53 Stations of the Tokaido,” which was likely the inspiration for its design. The details on this match safe are superb and beautifully rendered, and it has a great overall copper colored patina. Because it was used to carry wooden stick matches, the case’s bottom has a grooved strike-a-light. The art nouveau era produced wonders in match safes as countries around the world strove to supply the smoker with every conceivable figural conception. Japan, always quick to follow the West in copying and improving on new ideas, produced match-safes in wonderful forms. Mostly made of brass, Japanese cases were made in Eastern designs with unlimited artistic themes, all done in miniature detail with the most pleasing renditions and the highest quality craftsmanship. Match safes were made to give the owner both visual and tactile pleasure as they fit comfortably into the hand. Cases were appealing to both men and women and were easily carried in the kimono sleeve. (See “The Oriental Match-Safe” by Earle J. Stone in ARTS OF ASIA September/October 1986.) CONDITION is excellent; the lid has a tight fit. DIMENSIONS: 2 1/8” (5.5 cm) high, 1 ¼” wide (3.3 cm), 3/8” (1 cm) deep. |
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