Vintage Japanese Makie Lacquer Bowls with Hobune Design "帆船", Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-043

Vintage Japanese Makie Lacquer Bowls with Hobune Design, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-043

A rare matched set of finely lacquered wooden bowls adorned with gold makie motifs of sailing ships on rolling waves -- presented in their original wooden storage box.

A makie wan (lacquerware bowl) is a traditional Japanese wooden bowl finished in urushi lacquer and decorated using the makie technique, in which gold or metallic powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to build up luminous pictorial designs. Produced during the Early Showa period, this matched set exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of vintage Japanese lacquerware at its most expressive. The larger bowls carry a deep, mirror-polished black exterior with a maker's mark inscribed in gold at the base, while the smaller bowls -- likely used for side dishes or accompaniments -- feature a dramatic interior scene of tall-masted sailing ships (hobune) cutting through stylized waves rendered in fine gold makie. The exterior of those bowls displays scattered gold motifs of pavilions and willow branches, adding layered visual interest. The set arrives complete with its original kiri (paulownia) wood storage box, which bears brushed ink inscription -- a hallmark of a quality presentation set likely commissioned for formal dining or ceremonial occasions.

In today's home, this handcrafted Japanese lacquerware set makes a stunning statement far beyond the dining table. Display the bowls individually as living room accent pieces or grouped on a shelf to evoke a wabi-sabi aesthetic. The larger bowls work beautifully as jewelry or key catchers in an entryway, while the smaller decorated bowls serve as striking ring dishes or incense holders in a bedroom or home office. Collectors of Japanese vintage tableware and Japandi-style interiors will appreciate the visual weight of this black-and-gold palette. The set also makes a memorable gift for Japanophiles, collectors, or anyone drawn to the timeless beauty of East Asian decorative arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Turned wood with urushi (lacquer) finish; gold makie decoration; kiri (paulownia) wood storage box
• Use: Formal dining -- serving miso soup, rice, or side dishes at banquets and ceremonial meals
• Modern Use: Decorative display on shelving or a dining sideboard; entryway jewelry or key dish; incense or small object holder in a bedroom or home office
• Features: Two sizes of bowls -- deeper wan-style bowls with a mirror-polished black exterior and a gold maker's mark, and shallower bowls with a vivid gold makie interior depicting hobune (sailing ships) amid cresting waves; exterior of smaller bowls features scattered gold pavilion and willow motifs; each bowl has a turned foot ring; original kiri wood storage box with brushed ink inscription included
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A collector-quality set of vintage Japanese makie lacquerware -- where centuries of urushi craft tradition meet the quiet drama of gold on black.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.