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An exquisite Japanese "TOKYO SOLID SILVER" cigarette or card case, richly hand-engraved with dragons, pagodas, Mount Fuji, and rickshaw scenes—an archetypal representation of Japan's early 20th-century export artistry.
The front panel shows an elaborate temple complex with tiled roofs and phoenix finials, bordered by a powerful ascending dragon and flowering cherry branches. The reverse depicts a rickshaw under Mount Fuji, complete with paper lanterns and water wheels—a masterful narrative of daily life framed by myth.
Crafted entirely of solid silver (approx. .950 purity), as indicated by the stamped "TOKYO SOLID SILVER" hallmark, this case exemplifies the high craftsmanship of Tokyo-based silversmiths producing luxury goods for export during the Taishō to early Shōwa era (c.1910-1935).
The kanji maker's mark (visible beside the hallmark) likely corresponds to one of the Tokyo export houses such as Miyamoto Shoko, Kanda workshop, or a smaller Yokohama-trained artisan working under Western commission.
Details
Origin: Tokyo, Japan
Period: Taishō to early Shōwa era, circa 1910-1935
Material: Solid silver (tested and marked "TOKYO SOLID SILVER")
Technique: Deep katakiribori (engraved linework mimicking brushstrokes)
Weight: 128 grams
Dimensions: 4.25 × 3 inches (approx. 10.8 × 7.6 cm)
Condition: Excellent antique condition with rich natural patina; hinge and clasp secure.
Interior: Hand-chased continuation of scenic motifs.
Cultural Note
The dragon and Fuji pairing symbolizes heaven's protection and national identity, while the rickshaw scene mirrors Japan's modernization narrative during the Taishō period. Such pieces were luxury souvenirs for foreign diplomats and art collectors, bridging traditional Meiji metalwork and Western modernism.
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