Posted 6 years ago
Trent1971
(4 items)
While serving in the US Army my Great Uncle aquired this box in Japan, brought it home to Texas in around 1953. He died suddenly of Leukemia at the age of 23, I nor my Father ever knew him. My Great Aunt gave me the box when I was at the young age of 12, I think she had a way of knowing I would never part with it. At that time, early 1980's the box was the most strange and unusual thing I had ever seen. I have looked at hundreds of boxes like this on line, metal, Asian, Dragons, Buddha relief ect. I have found not one with the little bell on the bottom with NK? or the round dragon seal. I will now work on loading my profile photo.
It's pretty awesome Trent. Is it silver? By early 20th Japanese rules required a hallmark of SILVER then the metric purity (900, 950 etc), so perhaps it is another metal plated? Just guessing here :)
Was it painted at some stage do you think?
No it was never painted after it left Japan, it was that color when he bought it. The bright red is a plastic piece wired to the underside of the lid which is covered by pink satin. The top and sides are like filigree. Its pretty heavy, the hinge on the lid needs repair, my local jeweler can fix it. I have searched and searched and cannot find anything about the bell symbol with NK inside it, or the dragon seal/symbol. Its not silver, might be plated.
Always love the oriental dragons.
I'm fortunate enough to have Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese fellow associates. They all concurred without a doubt, the theme on the lid is Chinese. Made in Japan.
Does anyone know what the bell with NK inside of it means? the maker? I have yet to see another box with it, or the dragon circle?
I have been looking everywhere online to find anyone with something even close to something that I own and your piece is the closest ive gotten I'm really excited on tbe bottom of mine it looks just like yours only mine has a different design on the top ... Does yours also have SA on the inside of the box where the lock would be just on the inside ??? I'm sorry I've been looking for years to find these markings I really hope that this message gets to you please let me know
Honeybee! I’m so glad I’m not the only one on Earth with one of these kind of boxes! I have googled and searched selling sites off and on for several years with no luck. Do you have a photo? I’m curious. ????
The theme on the lid is Chinese? I don't think so. The theme on the lid is very Japanese.
https://nihonalt.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/kamakura-daibutsu-giant-buddha/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Fuji
https://www.flickr.com/photos/olvwu/8406267142/
https://postcardstravelaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/2015/01/nikko-toshogu-shrine-japan.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-asia-japan-kyoto-kitano-temmangu-shrine-bridge-bridges-wooden-bridge-36957834.html
I believe you, no need to prove the fact in excess.
There are many similarities in the culture and decorative items between Chinese and Japanese, due to their Buddhist culture, folklore and beliefs.
The dragon is highly important in both, but usually represented differently, the Japanese dragon will never have 5 claws, that represents the Chinese Emperor. The circle is called a mon, and used in Japan to identify a family traditionally, here it is used to represent the fable of the 2 dragons floating between heaven and the ocean fighting for the flaming pearl of wisdom. These boxes were made specifically for the tourists and export to the West, they are exotic to us, but not rare or highly valuable, mid 20th century white metal molded piece.
Thank you truthordare! I appreciate the info, I don’t have a lot of knowledge in regards to Asian symbols ect. I’m still curious about the maker????
I did a lot of transactions with this sort of item about 10 years ago, and educated myself with many books on this topic. The expert consensus for exports from Japan was that it could represent any number of businesses involved in the process of exporting these goods.
There is a whole chain of potential entities, from the maker, the distributor, the exporter, the importer, the wholesaler, and or the retailer.
Often it was a USA company who organized these imports, not just from Japan but from Europe as well. During the 20s and 30s.
Yeah I do have pictures actually
It looks very much like a Japanese antinomy box, with the lid depicting a number of iconic places: Mount Fuji, the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura, and what I *think* might be the Yomeimon Gate at Nikko (not 100% sure of that though).
IIRC these boxes were made for export and featured a number of different Japanese motifs with high relief. I have one with chrysanthemums on it.
Ack, I meant to say antimony - not antinomy :D Sorry!
A Japanese ANTIMONY box :)
You can read a thread about this topic on the Asian Art Forums here:
http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/index.php?method=detailAll&Id=39879&PHPSESSID=b98bfe328af2e97691a5cb6e8b9a64a9
I appreciate the knowledge each of you have shared! Thank you so much. I have discovered the maker might be Sankyo
Hi I just became the new owner of this box today. It is very unique and now I am curious about the markings as well. Mine has the SA by the lock
Like yours.
I have the exact same box, and have had it since the late 50's early 60's. Despite my entering varying descriptions 0n the internet. I have not had a match until today! Thank you