LARGE JAPANESE LACQUERED BOWL WITH COVER

Meiji Period, before 1912. 5” diameter. The bowl and cover each with angled shoulder and very delicate rolled edge. (These are lathe turned wood entirely encased in true lacquer.) Dark chocolate body color. Both edged and the grip gold lined. The top with a fine gold and red crane in flight with the moon beyond. The interior with two diving cranes over a fish trap and aquatic foliage. Japanese tradition required a guest to compliment the host on the bowl before opening it. He would then see that the motif has been expanded within encouraging magnification on his compliment. The crane is a particularly auspicious symbol and serving it conveys a wish for long life. Fine preservation and all the decoration of true pure gold.