Folk art box, Japanese, antique
decorated with 92 applied menuki
| Start Price |
USD 200.00 |
| Current Price |
USD 200.00 |
| Time Left |
- |
| Bid Count |
0 |
| Buy It Now Price |
USD 350.00 |
| Reserve Price |
- |
| Start Time |
Sunday, May 11, 2008 |
| End Time |
Sunday, May 18, 2008 |
| Location |
Beaumont, TX |
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Description
For 30 years, I was a buyer of American West artifacts and memorabilia to supply private collections and museums. My warehouse normally contained historic firearms, saddles, stagecoaches, windmills and the like. Along the way, I learned to snoop in every dark corner; every flea market, every little junky antique store, everywhere and anywhere treasures might hide. And, I learned to appreciate other items than the western antiques I normally bought. For myself only, I picked up oriental art wares, particularly netsuke or other smalls that didn’t take up too much room, or were cumbersome to pack and store.In 1995, I learned of a small auction house, selling a collection from a closed shop in Orange, Texas. Now, Orange, Texas, is one of those forgotten places. It was an international shipping port before the American Civil War, and many of the Liberty ships were built in its shipyards. Many ships from many seas, wooden-masted sailing ones to steel tankers hauling the black gold of the early Texas oil boom, frequented the port, and their sailors frequented the bars and stores of Orange. Many fortunes passed through its streets and banks. The Stark Foundation funds its Museum of Art to be one of the wealthiest in the world today. There is no published provenance of the items in the little auction of 1995, but I’ll repeat what was told to the bidders who showed up. It is by memory only, and no guarantee is made or implied to the factuality:A woman owned a little antique shop in Orange, early in the 20th century. She died in the late 1950’s, and her family simply closed the shop and stored the remaining inventory and the woman’s personal collection. The entire auctions contents were supposed to be this inventory and collection. Of course, like most small auctions, it was 'buyer beware' and any claims could be made in 'innocense'. But, there was simply no junk; some items were typical of a small-town shop, but others were incredible.I was initially attracted because of cataloged collection of 87 netsuke and inro with ojime. Upon arriving at the sale, I discovered that the entire netsuke collection was sold to an individual collector prior to auction. However, I was astounded to find what was still on the block. Over 1000 lots remained for sale, including glass by Tiffany, Galle, Legras and Zsolnay. Bronzes, porcelain, and Lalique crystal were everywhere! For three days, I bought all my budget would stand, and then went into debt for more. My only regret is that I didn’t buy everything that jumped out at me. However, I did buy a few, simply on my reliance of the original owner’s ‘eye’. The box I’m selling today is one of those things.It’s obviously a folk art box, and decorated with 92 separate manuki. It was listed (I still have the catalog) as a ‘teak box’, but I haven’t had the wood analyzed. Nor have I attempted to date the manuki. It is not marked in any way I can find, and I know nothing other than what I have related above.The manuki are a mass-produced variety, rather than one-of-a-kind works of art. Many are of identical design. The box appears to be handmade, however, and is complete, except for the missing wood from an interior lip, as shown in the photos. The box, less manuki, is 7” in one direction, 6 5/8” in the other. It is 2 5/8” tall, with the lid. The thickness of the wood, except the lip, seems all uniform, and is 1/4". There are some gaps from age, so these measurements are approximate. There is some old repair, and evident glue. There is a small missing piece of wood in the exterior of the lid. There is a crack in the bottom, and a broken piece of the interior lip, with missing wood. A couple of the manuki are loose, and two of the 'thresher men' are missing their heads.Please look closely at the photos, and ask any questions. I will certainly try to answer your inquiry, but this is not really my field of knowledge. Like I said above, I bought some things that simply looked exceptional.I will pack this very well and insure it, included in the stated shipping cost. I normally sell only within the USA, but if you wish to bid from outside America, please send me an email first for instructions. I cannot be responsible for ANY problems with shipping other than packing and insurance.**********************ON EDIT - I realized that the applied metal decorations may not be actual manuki. This is just what I've always assumed them to be, since they are the size and similar to what I have seen. However, I am not a collector or dealer in swords nor the furnishings of them, so please do your own research rather than rely upon my limited knowledge.
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