Antique Japanese Meiji Era (1870) Lacquer Wooden Sakazuki Sake Cup With Stand
Antique Japanese Meiji Era (1870) Lacquer Wooden Sakazuki Sake Cup With Stand
This is an antique Japanese sakazuki (sake cup) with stand that dates back to the early Meiji era (1870)(see dates box side pictures 11) . It is all hand turned cryptomeria wood with over 20 thin coats of Japanese urushi red lacquer with makie (raised gold) art work showing a crane in flight with pine tree. The combination of crane and pine in Japan symbolize strength and longevity.
It was found in a Japanese warehouse with treasures dating back over 600 years. This sake cup was found in its original signed cryptomeria wood presentation box (see picture 11).
Having been in storage for over 150 years, side from a small restoration on the side of the stand (see pictures 5, & 6) as well as minor restoration on the cup seen in pictures 8 & 9, this sakazuki remains in very good condition. the sake cup measures 4" in diameter by 1 1/4" tall (10 x 5 cm) and the stand measures 6 1/4" in diameter by 4 1/2" tall (16 x 11.5 cm).