A fine Japanese inlaid iron box, Komai workshop, Meiji period, c1890, intricately decorated overall in nunome zogan (fine damascene work) and hirazogan (flat inlay) with views of the Golden Temple (Kinkakuji Temple), Kyoto, and, to the sides, ten circular framed views of other local monuments, including the Byodoin and Kurama Temples on a ground of densely packed leaves, 12.3cm l, signed "Koma" of the Komai Company Sold with a contemporary handwritten note "large cigarette box damascened gold and iron" signed "Komai of Kioto - made for presentation to the present czar when czarewitch when visiting Japan - but not presented as he had to leave in a hurry, signed [rap] and dated 1905". There seems little reason to doubt that this magnificent box was intended to be an imperial gift to the future Emperor Nicholas II or Russia when visiting Japan after amouriating the construction of the trans-Siberian railway at Vladivostok. On the 11th May 1891, following a visit to Lake Biwa, Nicholas was subject to an assassination attempt by one of his escort. The injury, although serious, was not life threatening but what became known as the Otsu Incident precipitated his early departure and but for the unprecedented public contrition of the Emperor, Court and government, an outbreak of hostilities was averted. Historians have speculated whether the incident which left Nicholas permanently scarred, and perhaps emotionally scarred, influenced his decisions when Emperor in the years leading up to the Russo Japanese War, 1904-1905.
A fine Japanese inlaid iron box, Komai workshop, Meiji period, c1890, intricately decorated overall in nunome zogan (fine damascene work) and hirazogan (flat inlay) with views of the Golden Temple (Kinkakuji Temple), Kyoto, and, to the sides, ten circular framed views of other local monuments, including the Byodoin and Kurama Temples on a ground of densely packed leaves, 12.3cm l, signed "Koma" of the Komai Company Sold with a contemporary handwritten note "large cigarette box damascened gold and iron" signed "Komai of Kioto - made for presentation to the present czar when czarewitch when visiting Japan - but not presented as he had to leave in a hurry, signed [rap] and dated 1905". There seems little reason to doubt that this magnificent box was intended to be an imperial gift to the future Emperor Nicholas II or Russia when visiting Japan after amouriating the construction of the trans-Siberian railway at Vladivostok. On the 11th May 1891, following a visit to Lake Biwa, Nicholas was subject to an assassination attempt by one of his escort. The injury, although serious, was not life threatening but what became known as the Otsu Incident precipitated his early departure and but for the unprecedented public contrition of the Emperor, Court and government, an outbreak of hostilities was averted. Historians have speculated whether the incident which left Nicholas permanently scarred, and perhaps emotionally scarred, influenced his decisions when Emperor in the years leading up to the Russo Japanese War, 1904-1905.
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
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