SHIRAYAMA SHOSAI: A RARE AND SUPERB BLACK LACQUER KISERUZUTSU DEPICTING NANDINA SPROUTS

SHIRAYAMA SHOSAI: A RARE AND SUPERB BLACK LACQUER KISERUZUTSU DEPICTING NANDINA SPROUTS

By Shirayama Shosai (1853-1923), signed Shosai i松哉 and sealed Shosai 松哉
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)

The wood very finely lacquered with a roiro-nuri ground over brown lacquer, discreetly simulating woven cane, decorated with nandina sprouts in gold and red lacquer takamaki-e and kirigane flakes on the leaves. The thin stems of the two nandina sprouts supporting red berries and large leaves, some of which have been eaten by insects. The rim with a metal trim and cord attachment. Signed SHOSAI and sealed SHOSAI in red lacquer.

LENGTH 18.6 cm

Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear.
Provenance: Sharen Chappell, November 2006. Collection of James and Christine Heusinger, acquired from the above, the interior with an old collector's note. James and Christine Heusinger started collecting Japanese art in the late 1970s. Their collection began with a modest piece by Seifu Yohei III and expanded over 100 pieces. They donated the majority of their pieces to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which now houses the most important collection of ceramics by the Seifu Yohei studio. While their collection was mostly focused on modern Japanese ceramics, they also had a fondness for lacquer, purchasing select pieces from noted dealers such as Grace Tsumugi and Sharen Chappel.

Shirayama Shosai (1853-1923) is widely considered the finest lacquer artist of the Meiji and Taisho periods. He began working in lacquer at the young age of twelve and rose to become a professor at the Tokyo Art School where he was granted the title of Teishitsu gigeiin ('Imperial Craftsman') in 1907. His students became some of the best 20th century lacquer artists in Japan. The artist is recorded in E.A. Wrangham's The Index of Inro Artists, p. 255. Shosai's works of art are just as highly valued, like the work of the celebrated Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). However, Shosai's works are much rarer.

Literature comparison:
According to Jan Dees, there are only nine known pipe cases by Shosai. The majority of these are in the Baur Collection, Geneva, with two others in the Collection of Melvin Jahss and Collection of E.A. Wrangham. This lot represents a new, previously unknown tenth kiseruzutsu by the master. Compare two lacquer kiseruzutsu with the same signature and red lacquer seal, by Shosai, illustrated in Dees, Jans (2002) Japanese Lacquer Artist, Shirayama Shosai (1853-1923), Arts of Asia, March-April, p. 101, no. 25 and 26.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related lacquer kiseruzutsu decorated with a gold nadeshiko spray, signed Shosai, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection Of Japanese Art Part III, 15 May 2012, London, lot 171 (sold for GBP 21,250).