Incredible Antique Japanese Lacquer ALTAR TEMPLE
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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1940: Item # 378112
Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1940: Item # 378112
Please refer to our stock # MOR1413 when inquiring.
The Kura
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23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
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View Seller Profile
23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
Guest Book
Sold, Thank you
Sold, Thank you
Dragons writhe across the face of this astounding free standing temple which was a long time display piece in a Butsudan Shoten, an example of the finest work available for Japanese altars. The piece is more than 60 years old, as the current owner of the store (third generation) mentions it has stood there for as long as he can remember. It is entirely hand made; each piece of wood finely shaped and lacquered, each bit of metal hand etched before assembly. It rises from a 9 stage base of red, black and gold lacquer, each stage separated by tiny carved and gilded waves, and centering on a pair of 3 dimensional dragons vying for the prized Buddhist jewel between red colonnaded bows, tumultuous waves crashing down the sides. There are almost 100 pieces of decorative brass on the base alone! Enclosed in a scrolled wall is the center section made up of 10 black lacquered pillars heavily embellished with golden trim separated by carved cornices supporting the roof, which I cannot even begin to describe in its complexity, and will have to let the pictures show the work. The temple breaks into four sections, the base, pillared center, middle and top of the roof. It stands 38-1/2 inches (98 cm) tall, 20 inches (51 cm) wide and 12 inches (31 cm) deep. As mentioned before, this was a display piece showing the best available for Butsudan interiors; Butsudan are altars enshrining ones ancestors. The three black lacquer panels in back were added some years ago, and there are a few small pieces which have broken off and gone missing over the years; however it is surprisingly intact for such a delicate item. Pictured both with and without, all of the golden balls on the roof are accounted for. In Japanese altar making, each step is performed by a separate craftsman, cutting the wood, shaping the wood, lacquering, gilding, painting and assembly. Numerous individuals have worked to show the highest quality work for this outstanding altar. Ordered new today, this would be over 20 thousand dollars.
Dragons writhe across the face of this astounding free standing temple which was a long time display piece in a Butsudan Shoten, an example of the finest work available for Japanese altars. The piece is more than 60 years old, as the current owner of the store (third generation) mentions it has stood there for as long as he can remember. It is entirely hand made; each piece of wood finely shaped and lacquered, each bit of metal hand etched before assembly. It rises from a 9 stage base of red, black and gold lacquer, each stage separated by tiny carved and gilded waves, and centering on a pair of 3 dimensional dragons vying for the prized Buddhist jewel between red colonnaded bows, tumultuous waves crashing down the sides. There are almost 100 pieces of decorative brass on the base alone! Enclosed in a scrolled wall is the center section made up of 10 black lacquered pillars heavily embellished with golden trim separated by carved cornices supporting the roof, which I cannot even begin to describe in its complexity, and will have to let the pictures show the work. The temple breaks into four sections, the base, pillared center, middle and top of the roof. It stands 38-1/2 inches (98 cm) tall, 20 inches (51 cm) wide and 12 inches (31 cm) deep. As mentioned before, this was a display piece showing the best available for Butsudan interiors; Butsudan are altars enshrining ones ancestors. The three black lacquer panels in back were added some years ago, and there are a few small pieces which have broken off and gone missing over the years; however it is surprisingly intact for such a delicate item. Pictured both with and without, all of the golden balls on the roof are accounted for. In Japanese altar making, each step is performed by a separate craftsman, cutting the wood, shaping the wood, lacquering, gilding, painting and assembly. Numerous individuals have worked to show the highest quality work for this outstanding altar. Ordered new today, this would be over 20 thousand dollars.