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Kamakura-Bori Lacquer Covered Box browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Lacquer: Pre 1920: item # 124899 Please refer to our stock # SB-13 when inquiring.
B & C Antiques P. O. Box 291 Derby, CT 06418 203-929-7312 Guest Book $235 |
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| This square carved red Japanese kamakura-bori style lacquer covered box is likely an incense storage container or kogo. Meiji period (1868-1912). The cover is carved with a low relief abstract floral and scroll design, with portions of black lacquer showing through the red. A key fret pattern decorates the sides of the lid, and the sides of the lower portion are carved in a geometric diaper pattern. The plain black lacquer interior is undecorated. Kamakura-bori is a type of Japanese lacquer ware in which wood is carved in relief and then usually covered with black lacquer, followed by red lacquer, which is then rubbed down, revealing the subtle color underneath. Kamakura-bori was invented to resemble the more difficult and time-consuming Chinese lacquer-carving technique known as cinnabar style or “tsuishu.” Chinese lacquer incense containers were popular in Japan since the 12th century. Skilled Japanese craftsmen were soon able to equal and surpass Chinese examples. The uncluttered beauty of this type of carved lacquer incense container was favored by the Japanese for use with the tea ceremony ritual. Incense (“ko”) was introduced into Japan along with Buddhism around the sixth century, and it has remained a part of religious ceremonies ever since. Incense also played an important role in the tea ceremony. After cleaning the rooms before the guests arrive, incense was used to purify the space spiritually and help separate it from secular space. The incense was kept in small containers such as this one and conveyed with chopsticks into the fire in the brazier. The simplicity and unaffectedness of negoro-nuri makes this type of lacquer ware particularly valued in Japan. Condition is excellent. Dimensions: 3 5/8” square, 1 ¼” high. | |||||||||
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