Vintage Box: Japanese Meiji Era Bronze Dragon, Iris High Relief Raised selling Decoration Gilt & Lacquer 19th Century Makers Mark Hallmark on Bottom

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This is an extremely rare item! The side is decorated with an intertwined dragon in the sea and the top lid displays a garden of iris. Hallmark maker is unknown.
It could be made of bronze , but antimony is also a possibility.
Adapted from online sources: Antimony is an alloy, which easily takes impressions, has a smooth surface and does not shrink during cooling after casting. When coated with gold, silver, or copper, pieces look incredibly luxurious.

The origin of antimony products dates back to 1877, just after the Meiji Restoration in 1867, when casters and engravers employed as weapon makers by the Tokugawa Shogunate lost their jobs. They quickly used their initiative and established techniques to make antimony products. The antimony industry, even though being born in turbulent times, was not greatly affected by subsequent events such as the Great Kanto Earthquake, the great financial panic, global depression, and World War II. In fact, only one month after the end of World War II in 1945, a meeting to herald the resumption of the association was held. After the Antimony Industrial Cooperative Association was officially launched in 1949, the industry contributed to the national export policy to acquire foreign currencies, and developed into an industry leading Japanese economic growth. Antimony products contributed strongly to the development of the export industry of Japan through the Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926), and Showa (1926-1989) periods. Today not only are they highly valued as Japanese traditional crafts by Europeans and Americans, but are also pervasive in their everyday life.


Condition:
Age, tarnish
Please see photos for details and anything I might have missed in the write-up.

Measures about 4 1/8"W x 2"H

Disclaimer: All items listed in my shop are assumed to be in used condition unless otherwise noted. Shipping is calculated as close selling as possible. As there are so many variables, overages can happen. Excessive shipping charges will be refunded. Recycled shipping boxes and padding are used when available.