Elegant perfection, the trumpet shaped vase just has a caste iris bloom wrapped around the column as decoration.

The iris flower carries significant symbolism, representing faith hope , courage  and wisdom

It’s also associated with divine guidance, strength, and renewal, with meanings that can vary based on color and variety.

In ancient Greece, the iris was linked to the goddess Iris, a messenger between heaven and earth, and was used in funerary rituals.

In France, the iris became the national symbol, the fleur-de-lis, and is also the February birth flower. 

We have managed to find quite a range of boxes.  The three in the photograph are just a sample!

The box in the centre is Japanese Export silver and is a jewllery box with the original velvet lining

The scene box is particularly fine work. Worked on the lid and sides each panel has a different and finely detailed scene

The dragon box is a good size and again the detail is very crisp

We have more – drop by to choose! and see the quality

The lid is finely worked with the iris motif – which symbolises hope, wisdom, trust and valour.

The lid is double skinned as so often with Japanese Export silver

The base carries the triangular turtle mark of the renowned Japanese maker Sanju Saku, one of Japan’s leading silversmiths, based in Yokahama, making and retailing silver with enamels to this style  1880-1920

The tea pot is rounded with a tall swing handle.  The cream jug is double skinned as almost always on Japanese Export silver.  The sugar bowl retains its original double skinned lid

The detail of the iris motif on this set is exceptional.  Note the fine detailing of the finials and the iris motif added at the bottom of the swing handle , the quality of the flowers repousse worked against the hamered background on the round bodies of the pieces

Irises symbolise  hope, wisdom, trust and valour, making it a great flower to have on a tea set.

This set is the work of a master craftsman.

The tray is displayed on a matching tray which is sold separately

The deep iris motif is very much used by the Japanese Export silversmiths – often , as in this case, worked against a hammered background.

The iris flower symbolises faith, courage, valour, hope and wisdom.

Fine condition

The style with the legs on each corner reminds one of the torii gates at the Shinto shrines

The sides and  lid are hand engraved with flying cranes in the clouds

In Japanese folklore, the crane (or Tsuru in Japanese) is a strong majestic bird that mates for life and is said to live for a thousand years. It symbolizes honour, good fortune, loyalty, and longevity.

This box may well have been used for cigarettes when it was originally made but now make a fine addition to a collection

Exceptional weight

The pieces are double skinned as you so often find in Japanese Export silver – perfection since the repousse workings would not show.

The outer silver has been finely repousse worked with flowering plum or apricot branches – a true symbol of Spring in Japan. This flower was often used on pieces destined for weddings or anniversaries – a symbol of new beginnings

The maker is Samurai Shokai of Yokohama – a store which was opened in 1894 by Nomura Yozo.

The store was known to produce some of the highest quality Japanese Export silver pieces

Follow this link to learn more

Samurai Shokai, Yokohama, c. 1910.

The scallop edged bowl has flowering irises – the iris flower symbolises faith, courage, valour, hope and wisdom.

The iris was a very popular motif in Japanese Export silver and this classic shaped bowl is an excellent example

Note the fine detail of the flowers and the oh so lightly hammered background.  The Japanese export silver makers were master craftsmen. They were well known for this very high relief on their pieces

The round bodies and lids are closely repousse worked with chrysanthemum flowers – the flower of the Emperor.

Crisp as the day it was made, this tea set shows the quality of the Japanese Export silver craftsmen.