Japanese Kamakurabori Carved O-Natsume Lacquer Plum Blossom Motif 4"H

Japanese Kamakurabori Lacquer O-Natsume Ume Plum Blossom Carved Red Black

Japan, Showa period 

3.75 in H × 3.5 in dia (10 × 9 cm); Weight: less than 1lb

A large-format ō-natsume (大棗) in the Kamakurabori (鎌倉彫) tradition, carved from wood and finished in layered red and black lacquer. The body and domed lid are worked overall in a kikkō (亀甲) tortoiseshell-faceted ground, each facet cleanly defined with crisp tooled edges; the lacquer pools darkly in the recesses while the raised surfaces retain a warm cinnabar red, producing the characteristic tonal depth of the tradition. The lid bears three relief ume (梅) blossoms in full bloom with detailed stamens, rising from the carved ground as the composition's focal point. Interior finished in smooth matte black lacquer. The lid seats firmly with good fit.

Condition: Very good; lacquer intact with no chips or losses. Light wear consistent with age and use.

A boldly scaled and well-carved Kamakurabori natsume, handsome in presence and suited equally to ceremonial use or display.