Lot Essay
The signature is that of the prominent Kyoto lacquerer Yamanaga Koho (1889-1973), who specialised in tea caddies and other items for use in the tea ceremony.
![Yamanaga Koho (1889-1973)
An Outstanding Set of Twelve Hira-Natsume [Low Tea Caddies] with Designs for the Twelve Months](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2002/CKS/2002_CKS_06638_0083_000(051520).jpg?w=1)
SIGNED KOHO (KYOTO), SHOWA PERIOD (MID-20TH CENTURY)
Details
Yamanaga Koho (1889-1973)
An Outstanding Set of Twelve Hira-Natsume [Low Tea Caddies] with Designs for the Twelve Months
Signed Koho (Kyoto), Showa Period (Mid-20th Century)
Each of standard squat natsume form with flush-fitting lid secured by a tall riser, variously decorated in gold, silver and coloured hiramaki-e and togidashi-e on a polished red or black lacquer or gold nashiji ground, some with embellishments of gold foil or shell
First Month, with the sun, pine and cranes, the interior with stylised plum
Second Month, with flowering plum branches, the interior finished in cut gold foil and nashiji
Third Month, with cherry-trees in blossom, pines and hills, the interior and base finished in nashiji
Fourth Month, with a variety of shells, crabs and starfish above stylised waves, the interior with ducks and waves
Fifth Month, with a bamboo grove and young bamboo shoots, the interior with aoi (hollyhock) leaves, the base with a wave design
Sixth Month, with a dense design of dewdrops on shinobu ferns [Davallia Mariesii], the design continued on the interior
Seventh Month, with a meandering stream in Rinpa style, the interior finished in silver Gyobu nashiji
Eight Month, with ominaeshi [valerian], chrysanthemum, hagi (Lespedeza bicolor) and other autumn plants, the top with a silver moon, the interior with susuki grasses
Ninth Month, with stylised maple-clad hills and clouds beside a waterfall, the interior with maple leaves and water
Tenth Month, with chrysanthemums and waves, the interior finished in mura-nashiji
Eleventh Month, with vine leaves and pine branches, the interior with doha [dunes]
Twelfth Month, with a variety of snow and frost crystals, the interior with snow falling among barren trees; each signed on the base Koho saku [made by Koho] and with a fitted and inscribed box
2 3/8in. (6.0cm.) high (12)
An Outstanding Set of Twelve Hira-Natsume [Low Tea Caddies] with Designs for the Twelve Months
Signed Koho (Kyoto), Showa Period (Mid-20th Century)
Each of standard squat natsume form with flush-fitting lid secured by a tall riser, variously decorated in gold, silver and coloured hiramaki-e and togidashi-e on a polished red or black lacquer or gold nashiji ground, some with embellishments of gold foil or shell
First Month, with the sun, pine and cranes, the interior with stylised plum
Second Month, with flowering plum branches, the interior finished in cut gold foil and nashiji
Third Month, with cherry-trees in blossom, pines and hills, the interior and base finished in nashiji
Fourth Month, with a variety of shells, crabs and starfish above stylised waves, the interior with ducks and waves
Fifth Month, with a bamboo grove and young bamboo shoots, the interior with aoi (hollyhock) leaves, the base with a wave design
Sixth Month, with a dense design of dewdrops on shinobu ferns [Davallia Mariesii], the design continued on the interior
Seventh Month, with a meandering stream in Rinpa style, the interior finished in silver Gyobu nashiji
Eight Month, with ominaeshi [valerian], chrysanthemum, hagi (Lespedeza bicolor) and other autumn plants, the top with a silver moon, the interior with susuki grasses
Ninth Month, with stylised maple-clad hills and clouds beside a waterfall, the interior with maple leaves and water
Tenth Month, with chrysanthemums and waves, the interior finished in mura-nashiji
Eleventh Month, with vine leaves and pine branches, the interior with doha [dunes]
Twelfth Month, with a variety of snow and frost crystals, the interior with snow falling among barren trees; each signed on the base Koho saku [made by Koho] and with a fitted and inscribed box
2 3/8in. (6.0cm.) high (12)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium