A sake bottle from the Meiji era

This sake bottle, with its sophisticated design, dates from the late 19th century. The object, with a rectangular cross-section and a narrow, flared neck, has an unconventional shape for a tokkuri, or sake bottle; this, combined with its luxurious decoration, suggests it was intended for ornamental rather than functional use.

The lacquer (urushi) is predominantly gold, with black used for the motifs. The use of gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlay (raden) demonstrates great mastery of the art of maki-e and a rare sophistication.

The circular medallion (marumon), adorned with flying cranes (tsuru), is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. The hexagonal medallion depicts a woodland landscape in autumnal colours, likely featuring maple trees (momiji). This motif is very popular in Japanese art, associated with the changing seasons. The background of this landscape is made of mother-of-pearl, an inlay technique that uses fragments of seashells to create iridescent effects. To the left of this medallion, a lakeside and rocky landscape is depicted within a fan-shaped motif (ōgi), using the maki-e technique.

On the gold lacquer, in the background of the main medallions, one can see delicate plant motifs in fine gold, rendered with a slight relief. These subtle motifs add depth and richness to the gilded surface. They create a contrast in texture and lustre with the smooth surface of the gilded lacquer.