ANTIQUE 20thC JAPANESE SOLID SILVER ON WOOD SERVING TRAY, ARTHUR & BOND c.1900

DESCRIPTION

Antique early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period, solid silver mounted on wood large serving tray, exceptional and magnificent quality, chased, embossed and applied with lotuses and water lilies, with c-form handles, also embossed with flowers on hammered ground. Applied with a retailers plaque for Arthur & Bond, Yokohama, Sterling (925 standard). The English company was based in Yokohama, Japan during the Meiji period. Their high quality silverware and statement pieces were particularly sought after especially by foreign travellers and English gentlemen living in Japan.

Located in Yokohama, Japan, the firm catered mainly to English expatriates and foreign travelers. They retailed and manufactured not just silverware but also gold lacquer, chased, hammered and inlaid metal works, ivory carvings, embroideries, cloisonne, porcelain, furniture and domestic items as stated in their business cards.

The firm opened a second branch in Kobe, Japan and a shop in London, 52 St. Mary Axe and its products were retailed in America by G. W. Sheldon & Co.

Their most famous commission is undoubtedly the Liscum Bowl, treasured by the 9th United States Infantry and realised as a memorial of Col. Liscum killed in China in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. The bowl, made from bullion rescued by the U.S. Army and featuring Imperial dragons, shows an excellent manufacture and is considered one of the finest artworks of that period.

In 1923 the firm suffered a consistent loss due to the Kanto earthquake and no later record survived.

CONDITION

Dents on the handles and a split in the tray.

SIZE

Height: 5cm
Width: 63 x 42cm
Weight: 1930g