Box - Wood, Lacquerware
Opens tomorrow
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Marion Oliviero
Holds a master's in Chinese archaeology with extensive expertise in Japanese art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Item Description
Antique Japanese Jubako – Gold Raised Maki-e Lacquered Three-Tier Stacking Box with Landscape and Castle Motifs
A highly decorative and elegant Japanese lacquer jubako from the Taisho to early Showa period, richly adorned with raised gold maki-e.
Each tier is meticulously decorated with traditional Japanese scenic motifs rendered in thick, dimensional gold lacquer (taka-maki-e). The design forms a continuous narrative landscape:
• The top tier depicts a moonlit mountain scene with architectural elements emerging from a tranquil waterscape, expressing the refined aesthetic of night viewing.
• The middle tier features an impressive arched bridge over water, surrounded by pine trees, buildings and distant hills—an iconic composition inspired by famous Japanese landscapes.
• The bottom tier shows a castle rising above stone walls and trees, symbolizing prestige and classical Japanese heritage.
The interior of the lid is also finely decorated with pine trees along a riverside, a luxurious detail rarely seen in ordinary jubako.
This piece is not merely a food container but a collector-grade example of Japanese maki-e lacquerware, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic sensibility typical of high-quality early 20th-century Japanese ceremonial boxes.
Size
Height: 26.5 cm
Width: 24 cm
Depth: 24 cm
⸻
Weight
1600 g / 1.6 kg
⸻
Condition
Visible age-related wear consistent with antique lacquerware. Peeling is present inside the third tier and on the underside (see photos).
Seller's Story
I am a Japanese seller based in Yamaguchi, specializing in traditional Japanese crafts, antiques, and decorative art.
I personally source items from old Japanese warehouses, local antique markets, and private collections.
All items are carefully photographed and described to show their true condition.
I enjoy sharing authentic Japanese culture with collectors around the world.
Item Description
Antique Japanese Jubako – Gold Raised Maki-e Lacquered Three-Tier Stacking Box with Landscape and Castle Motifs
A highly decorative and elegant Japanese lacquer jubako from the Taisho to early Showa period, richly adorned with raised gold maki-e.
Each tier is meticulously decorated with traditional Japanese scenic motifs rendered in thick, dimensional gold lacquer (taka-maki-e). The design forms a continuous narrative landscape:
• The top tier depicts a moonlit mountain scene with architectural elements emerging from a tranquil waterscape, expressing the refined aesthetic of night viewing.
• The middle tier features an impressive arched bridge over water, surrounded by pine trees, buildings and distant hills—an iconic composition inspired by famous Japanese landscapes.
• The bottom tier shows a castle rising above stone walls and trees, symbolizing prestige and classical Japanese heritage.
The interior of the lid is also finely decorated with pine trees along a riverside, a luxurious detail rarely seen in ordinary jubako.
This piece is not merely a food container but a collector-grade example of Japanese maki-e lacquerware, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic sensibility typical of high-quality early 20th-century Japanese ceremonial boxes.
Size
Height: 26.5 cm
Width: 24 cm
Depth: 24 cm
⸻
Weight
1600 g / 1.6 kg
⸻
Condition
Visible age-related wear consistent with antique lacquerware. Peeling is present inside the third tier and on the underside (see photos).
Seller's Story
I am a Japanese seller based in Yamaguchi, specializing in traditional Japanese crafts, antiques, and decorative art.
I personally source items from old Japanese warehouses, local antique markets, and private collections.
All items are carefully photographed and described to show their true condition.
I enjoy sharing authentic Japanese culture with collectors around the world.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
1600 g
Country of Origin
Japan
Material
Lacquerware, Wood
Colour
Black, Gold, Red
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
26.5 cm
Width
24 cm
Depth
24 cm
Estimated Period
1920-1930, 1930-1940
Sold by
