A JAPANESE LACQUER TEA CADDY AND COVER

A JAPANESE LACQUER TEA CADDY AND COVER, NATSUME

19TH CENTURY

The short rounded body decorated in gold lacquer and aogai inlays with a continuous pattern of wheels floating amongst waves, the inside in black lacquer, unsigned, 7.5cm. (2)

Provenance: purchased from Yamatoya, Hakone, on 26th January 2014 for ¥85,000, a copy of the original invoice is available.

The design of wheels floating amongst waves may be inspired by the Heian custom of soaking cartwheels in rivers on a regular basis in order to prevent the wood from drying out.