An Inlaid Silver Large Footed Bowl
Taisho (1912-1926) era, 1917
Finely worked in contrasting silver, shibuichi, bronze, and shakudo flat and high relief with a continuous scene illustrating the 'Dedication of Asphalt and Oil' outlined in Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), depicting a delegation bringing burning soil (asphalt) and burning water (oil) to Emperor Tenji in 668 (Tenji 7), two attendants carrying asphalt contained in a box, another two carrying oil in a large jar, accompanied by a courtier on horseback, a further two attendants, one carrying a tiger-skinned sword, other details delineated in katagiribori (engraving with an angled chisel emulating brushstrokes), signed on the side with chiselled characters Shin'ya kinkoku (respectfully chiselled by Shin'ya) and stamped on the base Jungin (Pure Silver), Seishukan Choosai; with a separate, pierced wood stand and a wood tomobako storage box inscribed outside the lid Ginsei hanamoriki (Silver flower vase), inscribed inside the lid Nendo nensui kenjo no i, Taisho hinoto-mi shigatsu (The Scene of Dedication of Asphalt and Oil, April 1917), signed inside the lid Sekiguchi Shinya koku with a seal Shinya no in. The footed bowl: 31cm x 31.5cm (12 3/16in x 12 3/8in), the stand: 5cm x 26cm (2in x 10?in). (3).