17 - MITSUMASA: A FINE SILVER ‘BUTTERFLIES AND AUTUMN FOLIAGE’ TEAPOT AND COVER

MITSUMASA: A FINE SILVER ‘BUTTERFLIES AND AUTUMN FOLIAGE’ TEAPOT AND COVER By Mitsumasa, signed Mitsumasa koku Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The flattened, lobed body supported on a flat base, set with a short, gently curving upright spout and fitted with a slightly domed cover surmounted by a kiku-shaped finial, together with a hinged overarching handle. The exterior finely incised in kebori and katakiribori with various autumnal flowerheads, leaves, and wind-swept grasses, as well as two butterflies. The underside stamped jungin [pure silver] and signed beneath the spout MITSUMASA koku [engraved by Mitsumasa]. HEIGHT 16.8 cm (incl. handle), WIDTH 15.2 cm WEIGHT 344.7 g Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear, a small dent to the side, and few light surface scratches, particularly to the underside and along the edges. Mitsumasa (active during the Meiji period) is a name frequently encountered on fine silver export wares, often decorated with enamels. Auction comparison: Compare a related silver teapot, decorated with scenes of birds and flowers, also with a kiku-shaped finial, dated to the early 20th century, 20.3 cm high incl. handle, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 17 March 2021, New York, lot 610 (sold for USD 11,475 or approx. EUR 13,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).