A rare silver cigarette case of rectangular form with hinged cover, executed in the refined traditions of Japanese decorative art of the Meiji period. The cover is ornamented with an elegant repoussé composition depicting a pair of hares beneath a blossoming cherry branch. The flowers and foliage are highlighted with polychrome enamels in shades of yellow, white, green and soft pink, creating a delicate painterly effect against the silver ground.
The composition embodies the asymmetry, restraint and poetic sensitivity characteristic of Japanese aesthetics. The animals are rendered with remarkable softness and naturalism, while the generous use of negative space reflects the influence of traditional Japanese painting and decorative design. The cover bears the artists signature in the form of the characters 光雅 (Kōga), likely representing the artistic name of the designer or workshop responsible for the model.
The interior retains a smooth polished finish. This object represents a fine example of Japanese export silver from the Meiji era, created for the international market and subsequently assayed in Great Britain.
Marks: Importers or retailers mark LY & Co; British sterling silver hallmark with Lion Passant; date letter d; registration mark F; London Assay Office mark depicting the Leopards Head. Artists signature on the cover: 光雅 (Kōga).
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SILVER Seller in Alpes-Maritimes, France
