13th Jun, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
281
A RARE AND SUPERB GOLD LACQUER BOX AND COVER CONTAINING NINE KOGO (INCENSE BOXES), FOR THE INCENSE-MATCHING GAME
Sold for €3,640
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Of circular form, finely decorated with delicate takamaki-e on a gold ground featuring a fine brocade pattern. The inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid is adorned with elegant sprays of chrysanthemum at its center, framed by kinji rims accented with kirigane flakes. The underside is finished in e-nashiji, while the interior is lined with rich nashiji and gold fundame rims, housing an elaborate set of eight small kogo surrounding a larger central incense box.
Each of the nine boxes is superbly decorated in gold and red hiramaki-e and takamakion variously shaded gold and silver grounds, further dusted with kinpun. The recessed lids are fitted with silver blossom-shaped finials, and beautifully embellished with seasonal and botanical motifs including trailing vines, wisteria, morning glories, nanten (nandina) berries, ginkgo leaves, and cherry blossoms. The smaller eight kogo each with a small shifuku (silk storage pouch).
HEIGHT 4.9 cm, DIAMETER 11.9 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Typical traces of use and only minor wear including tiny losses to the kirigane flakes.
Provenance: Ex-collection of Maybelle Dore. Maybelle (Betty) Dore started collecting Japanese antiques in the postwar years, during the 1950s and 1960s, when interest in Japanese art was generally very low. For her business she ventured to Japan on her own to assemble netsuke and related works of art, including pipe cases and kogo (incense containers). Betty was also a founding member and the first Chairwoman of the International Netsuke Society, Northern California Chapter.
The present set was used for the incense-matching game. Like the Way of Tea and flower arrangement, the enjoyment of incense had developed into a complex pastime by the Edo period and had a large following during the seventeenth century. The various games involve guessing a fragrance from among more than 2,000 varieties, matching fragrances, and blending incenses to suggest certain moods.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related circular box with seven kogo (incense boxes), dated to the 19th century, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 1 December 2023, Vienna, lot 10 (sold for EUR 4,940).
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Of circular form, finely decorated with delicate takamaki-e on a gold ground featuring a fine brocade pattern. The inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid is adorned with elegant sprays of chrysanthemum at its center, framed by kinji rims accented with kirigane flakes. The underside is finished in e-nashiji, while the interior is lined with rich nashiji and gold fundame rims, housing an elaborate set of eight small kogo surrounding a larger central incense box.
Each of the nine boxes is superbly decorated in gold and red hiramaki-e and takamakion variously shaded gold and silver grounds, further dusted with kinpun. The recessed lids are fitted with silver blossom-shaped finials, and beautifully embellished with seasonal and botanical motifs including trailing vines, wisteria, morning glories, nanten (nandina) berries, ginkgo leaves, and cherry blossoms. The smaller eight kogo each with a small shifuku (silk storage pouch).
HEIGHT 4.9 cm, DIAMETER 11.9 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Typical traces of use and only minor wear including tiny losses to the kirigane flakes.
Provenance: Ex-collection of Maybelle Dore. Maybelle (Betty) Dore started collecting Japanese antiques in the postwar years, during the 1950s and 1960s, when interest in Japanese art was generally very low. For her business she ventured to Japan on her own to assemble netsuke and related works of art, including pipe cases and kogo (incense containers). Betty was also a founding member and the first Chairwoman of the International Netsuke Society, Northern California Chapter.
The present set was used for the incense-matching game. Like the Way of Tea and flower arrangement, the enjoyment of incense had developed into a complex pastime by the Edo period and had a large following during the seventeenth century. The various games involve guessing a fragrance from among more than 2,000 varieties, matching fragrances, and blending incenses to suggest certain moods.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related circular box with seven kogo (incense boxes), dated to the 19th century, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 1 December 2023, Vienna, lot 10 (sold for EUR 4,940).
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
