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ANTIQUE MEIJI ERA(1868-1912)CARVED CHAIR
(Item: 009CC)
Antique Meiji Era (1868-1912) carved chair, signed in Mandarin Chinese by the most eminent of Japanese furniture carvers, MATAKICHI TAKAMATSU of Yokohama. It is carved in the dragon/phoenix(ho-o bird)motif, which was originally reserved for use by the Chinese Emperor. This type of carved furniture became known as "Hamamono". It was first produced in Yokohama either by Haruo Numashima or Houjiro Shinohara around 1890. Similar to the situation with laquer, Yokohama held a good number of skilled carvers who mainly moved from Kamakura, a nearby town clusterd with temples. This new fashion attained a huge popularity in Europe and the USA, in the 1900's. It's popularity declined soon after the end of the Meiji era. In describing this furniture "sculptural", "flashy", "grotesque", "elaborate", and "unique" spring to mind.Few pieces were signed which makes this chair unique. A few lesser examples of this carved chair are now found in muesums. The Peabody and Essex Museum in Salem holds a similar dragon chair which is signed by Tomekichi Suzuki. THIS CHAIR IS THE ONLY KNOWN SIGNED PIECE BY MASAKICHI TAKAMATSU IN EXISTENCE TODAY.
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