A Japanese Senko-ire, box for stick incense with a long, squared profile and giboshi or finial-shaped stopper. The top with small cord loops on either side of the division to secure the box. Likely made in the town of Murakami in Niigata where artisans practiced the time consuming technique requiring layering lacquers so that the colors lapped and washed over one another created a solid block of material, which was then polished down to irregular marbled effects. Each liquid layer required about two days to polymerize or harden,, limiting production even in an era that valued quality over time or money. It was then hollowed out and the lid carved. With a period, paulownia wood storage box. On contemporary metal stand.
Early 20th century
Stick 17” long x 7/8” square, 18-3/4” high on metal stand
