Bidspirit auction | Japanese Meiji Era Damascene Iron

Japanese Meiji Era Damascene Iron and Gold Inlay Cigarette Case in the Style of Komai - This Japanese damascene cigarette case dates to the late Meiji or early Taisho period and is executed in the style of the Komai workshop of Kyoto. The case is constructed from dark-patinated iron with intricate gold-tone metal inlay, a technique known as zogan. The front panel depicts a traditional rural landscape featuring a waterwheel and thatched-roof houses in the foreground, with Mount Fuji and a distant pagoda visible across a body of water. The reverse panel shows a detailed multi-story pagoda surrounded by trees. Both panels are framed by an elaborate border consisting of repeating geometric shippo and honeycomb patterns. No maker marks or signatures are visible on the exterior surfaces.