Pair of lacquered vases with handmade gilded wooden lotus flowers

A spectacular pair of lacquered vases with in total 17 large handmade gilded wooden lotus flowers. Such a set is called a ‘Jyôka’ 常花, and are placed on or next to an altar in a Buddhist temple. The vases are lacquered black with a red rim along the foot. It is rare to find a set with lacquered vases. For us, this is a first.

These lotus flowers are at different stages of their life (unfurled lotus leaves, buds and blooms) and symbolize the journey towards Buddhist enlightenment.

This is a large set in comparison to many other of their sort. The gilded flowers are separate and can be placed in the vases as one desires.

Both with a dated inscription in name of the commissioner;
“Benefactor: Itô Shinjirô, Spring of the 17th year of Shôwa (Anno 1942)” 施主伊藤辰次郎昭和十七年春, Anno 1942.

Size of flowers including their vases: height.: approx.102 cm; width: approx. 55 cm. depth: 44 cm.                                                                                        Lengths of the flowers varies from approx. 35 cm to 97 cm.                                                                                                                                                          Size of each vase: height 26.9 cm, diameter 24.1 cm.

The flowers are in a very good original condition with some traces of wear conform age. One smaller flower with some loss of gilding along the stem. The vases are in a good original condition with some small lacquer imperfections along the rim and cracks in the lacquer underneath the broad mouth, which is not in sight. Please look at the photos for a condition reference.

When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.
Price including insured shipping.