PRINTPROVENANCE:
Private collection, Japan
Private collection, Japan
|
662
SHODAI ISHIGURO KONAN JADE SLEET STYLE SILVER EMBOSSED CENSER
|
|
H: 10 cm |
|
Estimate
65,000 - 80,000 273,000 - 336,000 8,400 - 10,300
|
|
|
Catalogue Note
The Ishiguro family has already produced three generations of famous potters. The founder, Ishiguro Konan, was born in Toyama in 1914. At the age of 14, he began to study under Kawauchi Komyo, one of Hirata Soko’s best students. Honing his skills as a goldsmith, his work in 1943 attracted the attention of a high-ranking cabinet minister, as well as a minister of trade and commerce, and the governor of Tokyo. In 1984, Ishiguro Konan, was awarded the 7th Class Green Paulownia Leaves Medal by Emperor Hirohito.
Ishiguro Konan continued the Edo period’s long tradition of gold and silver smiths, but gave the conventional craft a new twist when he invented methods such as the jade sleet and tapping techniques, earning him the moniker the first and foremost maker of jade sleet silverware in all of Kyoto. A look at many of Ishiguro’s pieces will reveal patterns of bulging or pointed protrusions, arranged in a strictly regular fashion and revealing a structure as delicate as that of snowflakes. This design is strongly reminiscent of a Tathagata (Rulai) Buddha’s head, and also conveys the serenity and beauty of Rulai’s posture, sitting on a lotus pedestal with crossed legs, lowered eyelids, and folded hands.
Most of the lots currently circulating in the market are second or third generation pieces, such as silver pots or tea caddies. While tea utensils and flower vases are very common, it is much harder to find a censer by Ishiguro. Add to this the fact that the present lot represents a first generation (shodai) item, and what you have is a true rarity that will make a worthy addition to any connoisseur’s collection.
Ishiguro Konan continued the Edo period’s long tradition of gold and silver smiths, but gave the conventional craft a new twist when he invented methods such as the jade sleet and tapping techniques, earning him the moniker the first and foremost maker of jade sleet silverware in all of Kyoto. A look at many of Ishiguro’s pieces will reveal patterns of bulging or pointed protrusions, arranged in a strictly regular fashion and revealing a structure as delicate as that of snowflakes. This design is strongly reminiscent of a Tathagata (Rulai) Buddha’s head, and also conveys the serenity and beauty of Rulai’s posture, sitting on a lotus pedestal with crossed legs, lowered eyelids, and folded hands.
Most of the lots currently circulating in the market are second or third generation pieces, such as silver pots or tea caddies. While tea utensils and flower vases are very common, it is much harder to find a censer by Ishiguro. Add to this the fact that the present lot represents a first generation (shodai) item, and what you have is a true rarity that will make a worthy addition to any connoisseur’s collection.