Antique Japanese Set Of 7 Meiji Era (C1880) High Sheen Black Lacquer Bowls
Antique Japanese Set Of 7 Meiji Era (C1880) High Sheen Black Lacquer Bowls
This is a set of set antique Japanese early Meiji Era (c. 1880 or as far back as late Edo) black lacquer lidded bowls. They were hand turned from cryptomeria wood with over twenty layers of black lacquer. Japanese lacquer is considered the finest in the world. This lacquer was as black as could be achieved in its day but under bright light it will appear a deep rich chocolate brown. This type of bowl was often used for miso soup or white rice. These were found in their original cotton protective sleeve and have probably been in storage and unused since 1965 given the date on the slips of newspaper used to stack between them (see picture #3).
Having been in storage for many decades, with exception to minor signs of use and minor lacquer separation on a few edges these bowls remains in good condition and are in good polish. Each bowl measures 5" in diameter by 3" tall with lid (12.5 x 7.5 cm). Note that one of the lids or shallow side bowls is smaller than the rest (see picture #8 for a comparison).
NOTE Red oven tray is not included.