Japanese Gilt Honda Tabako-bon

c. 1900
$1,380 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 10.75" D: 6.75" H: 12.0"
Materials
Pigment
Wood
Bamboo
Lacquer
Metal
Collection #
CANT002
Estimated Shipping
$75

This lacquered box is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the traditional accessories of Japanese incense ceremony, tabako-bons first came into use in the 17th century and were often beautifully decorated to display one's wealth and status.
This late 19th century tabako-bon has an elegant, basket-like form and is finished with black lacquer and bold gilt decoration. The repeated gilt motif is the emblem (mon) of the Honda clan, a familial line that claims descent from medieval nobles.
The open portion of the box holds two removable containers with metal linings and lacquered exteriors. The larger container is a small hibachi (hi-ire) that held the lit charcoal used to light one's tobacco pipe. The smaller, lidded container was used to hold ash and waste. This tabako-bon is complete with two long bamboo smoking pipes (rao-kiseru) that sit into the grooves cut into the top of the bon. The three lower drawers were used to hold shredded tobacco, tongs, and cleaning tools. A wonderful example of a fine Japanese lacquerware, this smoking set lives on as a beautiful keepsake of the past.

Minor splits to fretwork on back of box.

Additional Dimensions:
Without Handle: 8"H
Pipes: 13.5"L x 0.25"D
Hibachi: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 3.5"H
Ash Container: 2.5"W x 2.5"D x 4"H

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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