Description Two Zelkova Wood Shop Signboards, Kanban
PHARMACEUTICAL KANBAN: EDO PERIOD, 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY; EYEGLASS KANBAN: MEIJI PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY
each of rectangular form, the eyeglass shop kanban with gilt and polychrome highlighted inscriptions underneath glass insets depicting a pair of eyeglasses, mounted with iron hardware; the pharmaceutical kanban with gold and black lacquered inscriptions, mounted with bronze and iron hardware.
For a similar eyeglass kanban, see Kanban: Shop Signs of Japan, page 102, plate 76
For an Early Edo period (17th century) pharmaceutical kanban, see Kanban: Shop Signs of Japan, page 8, figure 7
Height of larger 57 x width 26 x depth 3 in.
Condition Report Height of smaller 62 x width 12 1/4 x depth 1 in. Each showing some minor splintering and weathering related to use and age. The larger sign with old losses to circular relief hardware on the left and right sides.
Additional images available upon request. Please contact Asian@HindmanAuctions.com for a complete condition report.