Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

I picked up these cloisonné objects at a yard sale recently. Possibly a Chinese shaving set, and a rice scoop or tool for ironing silk? The scoop is marked "Made in China" on the bottom, so probably made for export. The jar has a faint Chinese inscription on the bottom.

I'm not interested in selling them -- I just want to keep and enjoy them, since I think they're beautiful. But I'd be very interested to know their original use, age, and approximate value. I'm not finding exact matches online.
Can anyone help?

Thanks!

A few more photos.

Dear Richard,
I think you're right about the iron. The centre is filled with hot coal, which then heats the brass bowl. I would date it to between 1900 and 1940, with this shape being particularly common in the 1930s.
I think the tray, on the other hand, is Japanese. This is indicated by the cloisonné on the underside with its irregular ‘orange peel’ texture, as well as the circles as border decoration. To me, it looks like it's from the late Meiji period. If you really press me on a date, I would say between the 1870s and 1890s.

Hope this helps. With kind regards

Madria

Thank you!!

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |