A.W. Johnston & Co. Antiques Tea Caddies

Tebako box with three compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of increasing size from the top. The decoration is in continuity. Persimmon has been cultivated in southern China for more than 2500 years and is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the 8th century. The veneer is a tree with very hard wood, similar to ebony. According to a legend, one specimen survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, close to the epicenter. It is therefore in Japan a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also the national fruit of the country. It is eaten as a traditional dish during New Year's Day celebrations. Tebako literally means "portable box...

Small rectangular Japanese chest with gold lacquer decoration in the form of leaf tendrils. The chest is decorated with cut-out and ornamentally engraved fittings on the corners and ...

A large Japanese lacquer box with elaborate Maki-e design from Meiji period, (mid-late 19th century). The generous size of the box was reser...

Middle 19th century Chinese Export double lacquer tea caddy on stand from the Qing dynasty. octagonal form with hinged lid ,divided interior with me...

An antique jubako (stack boxes) with five tiers in an elongated octagon shape circa 19th century (end of Edo or beginning of Meiji period). jubako was traditionally used to store and...

A Japanese four-case lacquer inro by a member of Kajikawa family circa 19th century (late Edo to early Meiji period). It depicts a nocturnal scenery of a meandering stream surrounded by bush clovers, where a full moon is reflected on the water. It was masterfully decorated in gold and silver maki-e using a combination of techniques including takamakie, togidashi and kirigane as well as aogai (abalone shell) inlays. The stream was set between the slightly elevated banks, adding to this piece a already strong three-dimensional composition. The interior was decorated in gold nashiji. It was signed on the bottom "Kajikawa Zou" (made by Kajikawa and a pot seal centered with "Ei" in Kanji. In one of the compartment, there is a katakana mark, appears to be a name, possibly the owner. Kajikawa clan was one of the most famous lacquer artisanal family established in the 17th century. Many well known members over the generations produced lacquer art in a wide range of formats, but two third were signed only with the family name such as this one. It is therefore not possible to pinpoint the exact author of this piece. Provenance: This inro was purchased as lot 349 in Christie's New York sale Japanese...

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

The case decorated overall in crackle-glaze white lacquer and fitted with a patinated metal carrying handle over three tiers of small drawers. The first two tiers are comprised of a ...

Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...

Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of the fabric with black and gold sayagata pattern with togidashi maki-e technique. The saya (or sayagata) pattern is composed of Chinese swastikas...

The burgundy / brown lacquer is decorated with gold depicting figures and buildings in a landscape. The caddy stands on four carved wooden feet in the shape of claws. The interior contains a single pewter canister...

A Japanese lacquer writing box 19th Century Of rectangular shape, overall painted in famille rose colors with flowers, all on a yellow ground, the interior in red. Additional inform...