Vintage Japanese Lacquer Fubako with Tetsusenbyo Floral Motif, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-564

Vintage Japanese Lacquer Fubako with Tetsusenbyo Floral Motif, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-564

A finely lacquered fubako adorned with a graceful tetsusenbyo-style floral motif -- presented in its original kiri wood storage box.

A fubako is a traditional Japanese lacquerware box used to store and present letters, documents, and folded correspondence -- a cherished object on the writing desk of cultured households throughout Japanese history. This handsome example is finished in rich kuro-urushi (black lacquer) with a luminous, mirror-polished surface. The lid is decorated in a warm amber-toned raised floral design depicting clematis blossoms and trailing vines -- a motif associated with the tetsusenbyo lacquer painting tradition noted on the accompanying kiri wood tomobako (storage box). The interior is equally lacquered in smooth black, offering a clean, protective cavity well-suited to flat, delicate contents. The deep, squared body with softly rounded corners reflects the restrained elegance typical of mid-century Japanese craft lacquerware, and the piece retains excellent gloss and decoration consistent with careful storage in its original wooden box.

Today this vintage Japanese lacquerware box translates beautifully into a modern home. Its flat rectangular form is ideal as a jewelry box on a bedroom vanity or dresser, keeping rings, earrings, and small accessories protected in a lacquered interior. On a home office desk it serves as a sophisticated catch-all for business cards, stationery, or keepsakes -- a refined alternative to ordinary desk organizers. Styled on a living room coffee table or sideboard, it brings an unmistakable wabi-sabi aesthetic and Japandi style accent to any minimalist decor. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese vintage craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood with black urushi lacquer; amber-toned raised floral decoration on lid; kiri (paulownia) tomobako storage box included
• Use: Fubako -- traditional Japanese box for storing letters and folded documents
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; desk accessory for business cards and stationery; decorative accent on a coffee table or sideboard
• Features: Deep gloss kuro-urushi (black lacquer) finish; raised floral motif of clematis blossoms and trailing vines on lid; fully lacquered interior; softly rounded corners; comes with inscribed kiri wood tomobako storage box
• Dimensions: 11"W x 9"D x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A luminous piece of vintage Japanese lacquerware that brings quiet elegance and centuries of craft tradition to any modern living space.

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.