A FINE JAPANESE NOGAWA KOMAI STYLE IRON MINIATURE CABINET

A FINE JAPANESE NOGAWA KOMAI STYLE IRON MINIATURE CABINET, KODANSU

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH OR 20TH CENTURY

The inlaid iron cabinet raised on four bracket feet, with hinged doors opening to reveal five drawers of different shapes, richly decorated in gilt and silver nunome zogan with complex scenes of landscapes in and around Kyoto, including the Eight Views of Omi, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, the temple at Kiyomizu-dera and Chion-in, with further panels of auspicious symbols, the attributes of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, flowers, birds and butterflies, with bands of key fret, vines and sakura blossoms, the slightly domed top with three large phoenix amongst paulownia and the loop handle with further vines and tendrils, the front latch shaped as a large ribbon, the underside with the Nogawa workshop trademark, 10.8cm x 9.8cm. (6)

The Nogawa company was founded in 1825 in Kyoto and exhibited wares in the most exclusive hotels of the city. It took part in several International Exhibitions at the turn of the century including the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago (1893) and the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco (1915).