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Natsume (tea caddy) lacquer and gold, akikusa (autumn grass) motif by Eiji Nishizuka

Sale price€1.150,00

Exceptional, this natsume (Japanese tea box) was handcrafted using traditional urushi lacquer techniques applied in several layers to a very light wooden container. This is an ō-natsume, a large natsume.

On a background entirely covered in gold, an extraordinary decoration of extreme finesse of autumn grasses (akikusa, such as susuki (pampas grass), kikyo (bellflowers) and hagi (sedge bush)), was applied with gold powder, using the complicated and sophisticated technique of maki-e in light relief. ( shishiai-maki-e ) . Mother-of-pearl (raden technique) has also been applied to some petals. The inside of the natsume is covered with a very beautiful shiny black lacquer and a gold border. The natsume is signed at its base.

This natsume was made by Eiji Nishizuka (1943-2009), a renowned master lacquerer from Wajima. He was trained by his father, Seiichi Nishizuka, himself a renowned craftsman, and he distinguished himself in the art of maki-e, receiving several distinctions, notably at the prestigious Nitten exhibitions.

This is a unique copy dating from the Heisei era (1989-2019) . It comes with its protective paulownia wood box (tomobako) on which is indicated the name of the craftsman with his official seal and the name of the work; of his protective fabric (tomonuno) in wild silk with signature and official seal of the craftsman; from a small document (shiori) containing information about the craftsman and a braided cord (sanadahimo).

PLACE OF MANUFACTURE JAPAN
DIMENSIONS

Diameter 7.5cm - Height 7.5cm.

WEIGHT Natsume alone: 67gr; natsume + boxes: 188gr
MATERIALS Wood, urushi lacquer, maki-e (gold powder), raden (mother-of-pearl)
STATE In very good condition

The art of wrapping

The exceptional items are wrapped in a beautiful fabric beautifully knotted using the little-known art of Korean pojagi and decorated with a delightful maedup (Korean ornamental knot). Details and conditions >