Ɏ GYOKUSEI: A FINE FIGURAL LACQUER KOGO (INCENSE CONTAINER)By Yahata Gyokusei (1890-1948), signed Gyokusei with seal Kotobuki Japan, late Meiji period (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)Well carved as a seated old man, his voluminous robe decorated with floral scroll and cranes patterns executed in gold hiramaki-e, the exposed hand and face inlaid in marine Ivory and finely carved. The underside signed GYOKUSEI with a stylized red seal Kotobuki 寿 [Long Life and Happiness].HEIGHT 7 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. With few small nicks to the base, the inside with microscopic chipping to the edges.Provenance: From an important East German private collection, mostly assembled in the 1970s and 80s.Yahata Gyokusei was a master bamboo and lacquer artist, who made lacquer trays and suzuribako, amongst other lacquer items. He belonged to the Japan Lacquer Workers' Association and exhibited annually at the Lacquer Workers' Council. In 1911 (Meiji 44), he exhibited a 'rusty bamboo lacquered smoking pipe tube (Kiseruzutsu)' and received the third prize. He regularly won prizes. He has trained many apprentices and has passed on the bamboo lacquering technique to the next generation.This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person. Notes RefButton4