From our recent Japanese acquisitions, a rare find, stem #3

Antique Original Japanese temple “blossoming lotus” flower bud stem including itsd original red lacquer display base. This finely hand carved wood and lacquered gold flower stem was made for a Buddhist 19th century temple altar. Its flower blossoms and leaves symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. The individual parts of each lotus is carved separately then joined in an arrangement and inserted in altar vessels.

This lovely Japanese antique gilt Lotus flower is an early survivor, circa 1840, and a hard to find treasure that was originally placed on or around a temple altar.

This ensemble consists of a single stem, the top most flower, and the bottom leaf- all mounted in the original square red lacquer display base. A gold gilt 3.5 inch long tortoise “minogame” is affixed to the base as seen in the photo.

Its attractive original old patina coupled with much of the original gilding remaining present is just the way we like to find them.

Dimensions: With original red lacquer display stand Height, 17 inches height and 9 inches in width. The lotus flower stem alone measures 16 inches in height.

Provenance: acquired from a Kyoto Japanse monk and collector

History of the Japanese turtle “minogame”
One of the most famous is the mythological giant turtle known as the minogame (??, or ‘straw raincoat-turtle’ due to the tail resembling a farmer’s straw coat). The minogame is regarded as a very auspicious creature in Japanese culture and has made appearances in arts, crafts, and even in modern-day popular culture and is said to live at least a thousand years and have a long, hairy tail, which is actually seaweed and algae that have grown on its shell due to its ripe old age

Lifetime authenticity guarantee.

We have been dealing in fine authentic Japanese antiques including screens, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for many years. Our president personally travels to Japan each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique to ensure its old age, authenticity, and quality condition.