Japanese Match Safe with Chrysanthemums
November 2012 Auction by Far East Asian Art

This unusual copper match-safe is wonderfully decorated in high relief with blossoming spider chrysanthemums. Meiji/Taisho period, early 20th century. Both sides feature two large spider mums, their gracefully arching petals beautifully rendered in superb detail. Because it was used to carry wooden stick matches, the case’s bottom has a grooved strike-a-light...