Posted 13 hours ago
kwqd
(1184 items)
This glass vase is about 7.5" high x 5.25" widest diameter and weighs about 3 lbs. It is not signed but retains it's tomobako, with kumihimo (ribbon) but missing its turmeric cloth and any documentation. It does not appear to have been used, but probably has been just with great care. Bizarre Japanese color combination, Check.
A lot of information is probably available on the lid of the tomobako, but I can't make anything out besides Iwata's mark and Google translate cannot make out anything on the lid. This is assumed (?) to be a hanaire, or vase for use in tea ceremonies. That may be referred to in the text on the box. Guessing this dates to the 1960s or perhaps a bit earlier. The three characters in the upper right corner of the lid are used on other of his tomobako in my collection with different numbers; 2, 4, 7... Not a Showa reference, since Showa era began in 1989 and IH died in 1994, i.e., not second year Showa, etc..
https://waller-yoblonsky.blogspot.com/2018/12/japanese-hanaire-flower-vases-for-tea.html
This was offered for quite a bit of money for several months, but marked down several times. Just before the auction ended I made a much lower offer which was accepted, again not reflected on the auction site. Still, making several payments on this as I had an unexpected expense recently. Too good to pass up..... I thought I was through adding work by this artist to my collection as I already have several nice examples of his work, but I think this is both earlier and very different than anything else I have. I have never seen glass folded like it was on the rim of this vase. Not sure if the interior was blown into the vase and then trimmed and folded down? Not really sure. I would like to watch that being done!
Worth skimping on a few other things for a few months to someday add it to my display cabinet on the Japanese shelf.
Gorgeous cherry color, it's such a cheerful piece I really love it