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Believe it to be Japanese but Japanese friends say they recognise the writing on the back but do not know what it means. Any ideas of origin and age would be appreciated

I think it's Chinese export, and from the style of the openwork carving, around mid-19th century.

Thanks - that would dispell the family myth that it was given to an uncle by a Japanese Consul in Sydney and that the other matching pair was given to someone unknown-

Peter, I would not discount the family lore. I am not an expert, however the carving looks like Chinese Canton work to me. I've attached a picture of a Japanese cabinet with cloisonne panels by Namakawa. I assumed that the panels in cabinet are lacquer painted on wood.

Robert

Actually I saw one came up for auction in ebay Australia about two months ago, it looks like the marching pair of yours but in a very bad condition.
So your family myth may be true.

URL Title :Like a maching pair

thanks ... gets interesting

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