An antique Wajima lacquer vessel for ikebana flower arrangements, elegantly shaped like a boat.
The vessel is decorated with maple leaves (kaede) and cherry blossoms (sakura), appearing to be scattered on the wind above waves. In the center of the boat, a san’no’tsudzumi (an hourglass-shaped small hand drum), a sensu (folding fan), and an eboshi (headgear worn by nobles) are depicted, evoking the imagery of Gagaku (Japanese Imperial Court Music and Dance), where such drums are used, and this type of headwear is worn.
The design is rendered in hiramaki-e (low-relief lacquer design) in various shades of gold, highlighted by kirigane (cut and inlaid pieces of gold leaf) and nashiji (sprinkled gold lacquer), set against a vermillion red lacquered substrate.
The stern with inscription: "Chamei'maru" (Ship named Chamei).
Complete with a pair of light brown lacquered bamboo segment vases...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Bamboo Lacquer