A large Japanese circular Sawasa tobacco jar
Nagasaki, 18th century
Sawasa alloy of 94% copper, 2% gold, 1.5% silver and 1.2% arsenic, the jar consists of an inside gilt copper box with a gilt lid and an outer jar of black lacquered open relief scrolling foliage with a cover with a knob finial.
Diam. 2.5 x H. 14.2 cm
These tobacco jars were made for the Dutch and for export. A similar one is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum (illustrated in: Sawasa, Japanese export art in black and gold, 1650-1800, pg.78).
Sawasa alloy of 94% copper, 2% gold, 1.5% silver and 1.2% arsenic, the jar consists of an inside gilt copper box with a gilt lid and an outer jar of black lacquered open relief scrolling foliage with a cover with a knob finial.
Diam. 2.5 x H. 14.2 cm
These tobacco jars were made for the Dutch and for export. A similar one is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum (illustrated in: Sawasa, Japanese export art in black and gold, 1650-1800, pg.78).
Part of the Japan collection.
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