Page 154 - Bonhams Japanese Works of Art September 2015 New York
P. 154
3296 3296 (reverse)
3296 (open)
3296 3297ยค
A FINE KOMAI-STYLE KODANSU (CABINET) A FINE KOMAI MODEL OF A THREE-TIERED PAGODA
By the Nogawa company of Kyoto, Meiji era (late 19th/early By the Komai workshop, Meiji era (late 19th century)
20th century) Constructed of russet iron in four sections, each register with a
The slightly domed iron cabinet set on four bracket feet with hinged base modeled as a veranda with railing and with hinged doors
doors opening to reveal five drawers of varying size and decorated opening to reveal drawers of various sizes and decorated overall
in gilt and silver damascene with scenes in and around Kyoto, in gold and silver inlays, each roof with herons in flowering
including the Eight Views of Omi, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Kiyomizudera landscapes, cranes among pines, or phoenixes and dragons, the
and Chion-in, punctuated by stands of flowers with butterflies and exterior doors designed with pastoral scenes and the interiors
birds, the borders worked with tightly scrolling ivy and mokume with flowers and birds, chrysanthemum drawer pulls, the adjoining
with chrysanthemums, the apron with a band of key-frets, the top sections decorated with geometric designs above scrolling vines
decorated with three phoenixes among paulownia, the interior carved in kebori, the base with stairs with additional drawers on
doors designed with further notable sites, the drawers with various either side decorated with stylized dragons, the lower edge of the
decorations including the attributes of the Seven Gods of Good base carved with crashing waves, the sides with lozenge patterns,
Fortune, birds, flowers and butterflies, the flower head pulls in silver, signed on the underside in a square reserve Nihonkoku Kyoto no ju
the exterior latch formed as a ribbon, the loop handle with scrolling ivy, Komai sei and with dragonfly mark
the underside with the Nogawa company mark 14in (35.6cm) high
4 1/4 x 4 x 3in (10.8 x 10.1 x 7.6cm) $30,000 - 40,000
$8,000 - 12,000
For a similar example with two tiers see Oliver Impey, Meiji no Takara:
Treasures of Imperial Japan, vol. 2, Metalwork Part I, London,
1995, fig. 33.
152 | BONHAMS
