Fantastic one-of-a-kind antique Japanese Edo oil lamp box with raised gold gilt maki-e and raised lacquer clouds and lotus leaves floating and fluttering about. In the original box with the Japanese characters 'Kosome-un' written on the front. The meaning is the name of the maki-e cloud-lotus pattern. The second kanji is the name of the artist but unfortunately we can't read it. Lotus leaves and clouds in budddhist iconography were sacred and metaphors for purity. Open the top of the box and there is a small bronze oil refill pourer a bronze box. Flip open the bronze box and on the underside of the lid are two candle prongs. In Edo when 'andon' or oil lamps were used for lighting, the light person would walk around with this box and fill the lamps with oil and light them from the candles. Underneath are three drawers with bronze pulls. Museum quality. c.1850. (8½" x 5½" x 4½") (22cm x 16cm x 11cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $95.

Asian Antiques