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Japanese Sterling Silver Chrysanthemum Dish Sadajiro Musashiya Meiji Period

Offered by: Tishu

Description
An exquisite Japanese sterling silver ornamental bonbon dish, circa 1890-1900. The piece was rendered in the shape of a stemmed branch of chrysanthemum blossom and was made for export market. Both botanically realistic and stylish, the piece showcases a high degree of artisanal sensitivity and technical ability of the silversmith who created this lovely piece. The petals that form the exteriors were outlined with deep and fluid relief lines of sculptural quality. The branches and leaves were rendered with attentions to the smallest details, with molding and surface texturizing using chasing in contrast with hammering. The interior of the dish is equipped with a conforming inner dish and when it is taken out, revealing the chased lines. The piece, although practical, is basically an okimono in sculptural form, a work of art on its own. It weighs about 22 ounces.
Under the dish, it is marked "Pure Silver" in Kanji and SM in a rectangular cartouche. The research (carried out by Adrien Von Ferscht, an expert and author on Asian Export Silver) identified it to be Sadajiro Musashiya. According to an academic paper AVF published, in 1859, Ozeki Yahei, a Japanese exporter of Japanese art and finery, set up an operation in Yokohama. His son, Ozeki Sadajiro managed the business and soon opened a retail store at 66 Main Street, called Musashiya. From there, he commissioned and exported many fine decorative art pieces including silvers to meet the western taste at the time (the Art Nouveau and the Aesthetic Movement). Musashiya collaborated with many western businessmen including Arthur Lasenby Liberty of Liberty Store of London, who visited in 1889 and formed a relationship. Many these botanically rendered pieces, mostly in the form of ornamental spoons, were exported and sold in his store in London.

More Information

Origin:	Japan
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Sterling silver
Condition:	Good. Fine antique silver condition with expected minor wear such as fine scratches in keeping with age.
Creation Date:	1890-1900s
Styles / Movements:	Aesthetic Movement, Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental, Florals/Botanical, Geometric, Handmade
Incollect Reference #:	570622

Dimensions

H.	6 in;	Diam.	6 in;
H.	15.24 cm;	Diam.	15.24 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion