Antique Japanese Gold & Red Lacquer Wooden Sake Cup w/Silver Irises! c.1925

Description

Houghton USA
Ancient Art, Antiques, & Fine Collectibles
Japanese Wooden Sake Cup (
Sakazuki
)
Gold
Lacquer Background
&
Silver Irises
Wooden Serving Dish
--Kashizara
Taisho Era (c. 1925)
This antique, very shallow,
Japanese Sakazuki
(sake cup) is from the
late Taisho Era (c. 1925)
and is made of hand lathe turned cryptomeria wood, with over twenty layers of red & black lacquer on the bottom side of the cup, as well as
final layer of
makie
(raised gold lacquer) with additional raised work of silver detailing on the flowering irises on the inside of the
sakazuki
.
This fine, antique
sakazuki
measures about 6.75" across x .83" high (170 x 21 mm).
This stunning sake cup remains in very fine condition throughout, with no chips, cracks, or repairs!  It displays beautifully!
The Iris in Japan
In Japanese symbolism, the most common properties of the Iris are its ability to purify evil energies or protect oneself. People have been fond of using the design of this flower on their Kimonos for centuries. They have also appeared in many paintings and have been written about in Haiku poems. The Iris remains one of the most appealing flowers in Japanese art.
Cultural Note:
By the way, my Japanese friends tell me that the word "Sake" is actually pronounced "Sa-ke" (like the "ke" in the word "kettle) and not "Sa-key" like the English word "key."  And the word is pronounced with equal emphasis on both syllables, "Sa-ke."  So, I've been mispronouncing it for over 45 years!  Sorry...
Please look carefully at the macro photos as they are part of the description.
The stand is NOT part of this auction.
The white spots on the sake cup are from the lights I used to illuminate the cup so as to show the wonderful detail of this work of art.
What a great addition to your collection or as a present!
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