Japanese iron box signed Fujii Yoshitoyo Damascene Co. Meiji period

Japanese iron damascene box modelled as a hokai-bako with three drawers worked in gold and silver nunomezogan on a matt black ground with flowers, birds, temples and a peacock on a pine branch, bearing the mark of Fujii Yoshitoyo Damascene Company, Meiji period 1868-1912.

The Fujii company of Kyoto headed by Fujii Yoshitoyo 藤井美豊 exhibited domestically and internationally at the 1910 Japan-British Exposition, at the Tokyo Taisho Exhibition in 1914, and at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 in the 'Gold and Silversmith's work' category. He was awarded several first class medals and some of his finest pieces have been purchased by the Imperial Household.

Reference: 'Meiji no Takara 明治の宝 Treasures of Imperial Japan, the D. Khalili Collection', Metalwork part I, Vol. II, no. 37.