A Japanese Silver and White Jade Box by Miyamoto Shoko

Meiji period (1868-1912), silver box featuring a white jade relief carved insert, marked 宮本 (Miyamoto) with 純銀 (jungin or pure silver) mark to underside of the box, the lid and base with a finely hammered surface.

2 3/4 in., 4 in. diameter

5.8 troy oz.

In 1890, Miyamoto founded the Miyamoto Shoko company. The firm produced diverse high-quality silverware and had an extensive range of tea and coffee sets, bowls, snuff boxes, spoons, souvenirs and other items. Usually peculiarly decorated with traditional Japanese motifs, such as chrysanthemum flowers, blossoming cherry trees, bamboo leaves, Miyamoto silver items were also created in Victorian and Georgian designs, which appealed mostly to the Western clientele.

Because of its superb craftsmanship, the firm soon received a Royal Warrant and became the purveyor of Imperial Household Agency in 1899. Their works adorned the interior furnishings of the royal guesthouses and the banquets held for dignitaries. The company also produced exceptional silver gifts for many foreign diplomatic missions.


Private Collection, Roanoke, Virginia

Good estate condition, very slight warping at the time and a few areas of pitting; old number etched into silver on inside of cover.