ANTIQUE 20thC JAPANESE SOLID SILVER CONDIMENT SET, KONOIKE, YOKOHAMA c.1900
20th Century Japanese Meiji period silver large condiment set. Consisting of four mustard pots with spoons, salt cellars with spoons and pepper shakers, exceptional and magnificent quality, chased and embossed with compressed chrysanthemum flowers in very high relief, water lilies, flying dragons and Japanese symbols in round reserves all on hand hammered surface, mustard pots applied with elegant scroll handles, the set comes in its original retail box.
Hallmarked with the makers mark for Konoike, Pure Silver.
Reference Number: A6575
DESCRIPTION
Antique early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver large condiment set. Consisting of four mustard pots with spoons, salt cellars with spoons and pepper shakers, exceptional and magnificent quality, chased and embossed with compressed chrysanthemum flowers in very high relief, water lilies, flying dragons and Japanese symbols in round reserves all on hand hammered surface, mustard pots applied with elegant scroll handles, the set comes in its original retail box. Hallmarked with the makers mark for Konoike, Pure Silver (999 high grade silver). Konoike’s firm was based in the great trading port of Yokohama near Tokyo. Not much is known about his life but his artworks are particularly sought after for their fine quality.
The firm produced especially tea sets and tableware decorated with motives borrowed from the Chinese tradition, such as dragons, and typical Japanese ones, such as chrysanthemum and iris flowers. Many of his items bear also the mark of Jungin silver, which means pure silver (950+), only used during the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). In fact Japanese silver features the highest purity in the world. Chasing and embossing such a pure metal (and therefore very soft), requires exceptional skills: that is why Japanese workshops of this period were often run by former samurai.
Konoike exported his items in Europe and especially in England. In London they were retailed by Liberty & Co. Nowadays Konoike’s artworks are displayed in the most important international museums, such as the Victoria and Albert museum in London.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
SALT
Height: 4cm
Width: 6cm
PEPPER
Height: 6cm
Width: 4.5cm
MUSTARD
Height: 6.5cm
Width: 10.5cm
SALT SPOON
Height: 7cm
MUSTARD SPOON
Height: 8cm
Combined Weight: 705g
