Page 146 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

142 | A RARE AND
UNUSUAL
LACQUERED WOOD
EXPORT CIGAR
DISPENSER

Japan, late 19th century

Of octagonal shape, carved
from several separate pieces
attached together in the form of a
pagoda on four feet with a turned
revolving finial and four revolving
doors lacquered in red and gold
takamaki-e with Tekkai Sennin
exhaling his anima, Shaen reading a
book under a firefly lamp, Chinnan
Sennin floating over waves on a
large sedge hat, and Urashima Taro
on the back of a turtle, all on a black
ground. The backs of the doors with
brass and wood fittings for three
cigars and decorated with gold
takamaki-e of butterflies and flowers
on a nashiji ground. The rest of the
body and pedestal decorated with
floral sprays, blossoming branches,
and birds, with one drawer,
probably for matches, with nashiji
on the interior. Gilt metal fittings to
the drawer as well as the corners
and edges.
Cigar dispensers such as this one
were popular in Europe during the
19th century but as cigar smoking
was much rarer in Japan during this
time, it is very likely that this piece
was made for export.
HEIGHT 38.5 cm
Condition: Very good condition
with minor wear to the lacquer and
metal mountings, expected surface
wear, one metal fitting missing.
Provenance: German private
collection.
Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750

140