Product Description

7055        Arita Toshiaki (act. 20th century)

A bronze flower vessel inlaid in hirazogan (low-relief inlay) with dragonflies amongst grasses using a mixture of shakudō (copper and gold alloy), shibuichi (copper and silver alloy), silver and gilt

Signed: Toshiaki saku (Made by Toshiaki)

Japan, circa 1955*

Dimensions: H. 22cm x W. 20.5cm x D.  20.5cm (8¾” x 8¼” x 8¼”)

Tomobako (original box) inscribed:

Lid: Seireibun kabin. (Dragon fly design flower vessel)

Lid interior: Arita Toshiaki. Seal: Toshiaki

Exhibited: 11th Nitten (The Japan Fine Art Exhibition), Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 1955*

Published: Nittenshi (History of Nitten) vol.18 p. 496 pl.12

Tombo (dragonfly) in Japan is emblematic of martial success as various names for the insect are homophones for words meaning ‘victory’. It also is a seasonal symbol of late summer and early autumn.