Rare Vintage, Antiques and Art Collector / Curator / Personal Shopper From Japan
Edo-Period Style Japanese Lacquer Sword Stand, Maki-e Dragon & Mount Fuji, Shell Inlay Raden , Katana Rack Display (49cm)
Edo-Period Style Japanese Lacquer Sword Stand, Maki-e Dragon & Mount Fuji, Shell Inlay Raden , Katana Rack Display (49cm)
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Overview
A ceremonial display object conceived for the moment a blade becomes an heirloom: this Japanese lacquered sword stand presents a classical pairing of iconography—an ascendant dragon and Mount Fuji—rendered in luminous maki-e over a deep black lacquer field, with iridescent accents consistent with shell inlay. Designed as both furniture and symbol, it frames a katana or wakizashi as a formal presentation rather than mere storage.
Design, Iconography, and Why It Matters
On traditional sword stands, imagery is rarely ornamental alone. The dragon is a guardian emblem associated with power, protection, and the ability to traverse water, cloud, and sky—volatile force held in ritual discipline. Mount Fuji functions as the still point: an icon of permanence and spiritual geography. Together they form a paired vocabulary that reads as philosophy as much as decoration: motion governed by endurance.
Material, Period & Attribution
Primary material: wooden substrate finished in urushi lacquer with maki-e metal-powder decoration; iridescent accents consistent with shell inlay (raden) or mother-of-pearl style inserts.
Technique note: Maki-e (sprinkled picture) is created by drawing with wet lacquer and dusting fine metal powders so the image becomes embedded in the lacquer skin. Depending on workshop practice, designs may combine flatter graphic passages (hira maki-e) and built-up relief elements (taka maki-e), and in more ambitious work may involve polishing back over-lacquered layers (togidashi maki-e) so the design appears to emerge from within the black surface. Exact sub-techniques cannot be confirmed from photographs alone, but the optical behavior and metallic depth are consistent with true lacquer craft rather than printed imitation.
Period (attribution): Edo-period style; a conservative attribution would be Edo to Meiji depending on construction details and surface behavior upon in-hand review.
Condition Overview
Condition reflects age and handling: visible scratches, scuffs, and surface wear consistent with long-term use. Lacquer objects often show a soft haze in the gloss where fine abrasions accumulate, and edge wear where the lacquer film is thinnest. Please review photographs closely for exact surface character and any localized losses.
Dimensions & Weight (Estimated)
- Approx. size: H 41 cm × D 18 cm × W 49 cm
Collector Relevance
This piece bridges categories—samurai material culture, Japanese lacquer arts, and interior display architecture. It pairs naturally with a blade, yet stands independently as lacquer sculpture: a functional stage built to elevate iconography. Ideal for collectors creating a coherent sword environment, tokonoma-style display, or lacquer-focused decorative arts collection.
Collector’s Resonance: For the collector who values atmosphere and context as much as objects—someone building a room that reads like a curated archive, where a stand is not an accessory but the frame that turns a sword into a statement.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
