Portable food container - Lacquered wood

A black lacquered hôkai 行器 (covered portable food container) of traditional form. The cover and sides are decorated with a gilded family crest 紋 (mon) of a diamond flower within a hexagon, known as kikkô ni hanabishi 亀甲に花菱. The cylindrical body features subtly ribbed sides and rests on four elegant outward-splayed legs. The rims and feet are mounted with brass fittings finely engraved with scrolling foliage motifs. The interior is finished in brown lacquer, now softly discoloured with age and use. Period: Japan – First half 19th century (Late Edo period) Dimensions: Height 36.5 cm, Diameter 31.5 cm Considering its age, the hokai is in fair restored condition, with wear and restorations consistent with age, including lacquer losses and one missing hardware fitting along the rim. Please refer to the photographs for a clear condition reference. Hokai 行器 served multiple functions throughout Japanese history. Primarily used as portable food containers, similar to travelling lunch boxes, their lacquered surfaces helped protect the contents from moisture and insects. They were also occasionally used for storing and transporting shells for the traditional shell-matching game kai-awase 貝合わせ during the Edo and Meiji periods.

Estimation:€350

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