Japanese Nippon Hand Painted Floral Porcelain Lidded Container Stamped Circa Early 20th Century

Measurements: 6.25"T x 7"W x 5.25"D

Markings: Hand Painted - Maker Mark - Nippon - Made in Japan

Weight: 1.81 lbs.

According to my research, this piece dates between 1898 and 1939. Most likely around 1917 time period. I've scene similar style pieces advertised as ice buckets but in this time period they would have been high end decorative tobacco jars. Obviously it can be used as an ice bucket, or a biscuit/cookie jar, kitchen canister, catch all, whatever you wish. There are a couple of spots on the inside (which further leads me to believe tobacco jar).

The outside is absolutely stunning! Hand-painted  in a floral, grapes, vines and leaves design with a crisp and shiny iridescent finish. All of the enamel is intact, crisp and bright. Very minor wear to the gold on the tip of the lid handle. But other than those few minor things, it has no chips, no cracks and no crazing or damage of any kind. It has been very well preserved and cared for. Hard to think this is literally a Century old or older!

According to the Old Noritake Collectors Guide, this is the backstamp of Imoto
Shoten; in the early 20th century Shoten established the Nippon Trading Company in
San Francisco. In 1897, Tamesaburo Imoto, the founder of the company, established Imoto Shoten Co., the predecessor of Imoto Sangyo Ltd.
Imoto Shoten Co. began as a processor of finished ceramics, purchasing the raw materials, painting, firing, and exporting the finished products, but gradually expanded its sales channels and grew to establish branches and sub-branches in San Francisco, New York, and other parts of Asia. 

Imoto Shoten was steadily expanding its business, but when World War II broke out, all of its overseas bases were confiscated.
Imoto Shoten Co., Ltd., which continued to grow despite repeated hardships, changed its name to Imoto Sangyo Ltd. in 1944. After the war, the company handled not only custom-made ceramics, but also other products such as tableware and sundries, exporting attractive Japanese-made products to overseas buyers.

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