Fujii, Yoshitoyo [藤井美豊] A Fujii Damascene Co Compact Signed

Fujii, Yoshitoyo [藤井美豊] (Japanese b. 1868) A Fujii Damascene Co compact, Taisho period. Etched brass. Signed Fujii Yoshitoyo and Fujii Damascene Co mark to reverse. Finely etched with landscape scene including mount fuji, boats verso. Pendant loop. Interior with mirror on inside of lid.

Diameter: 2.1in (5.3cm) (excluding pendant loop)
Depth: 0.75in (2cm)

Condition: Excellent. Near mint. No issues

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Biography: Fujii Yoshitoyo was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1868. A metal worker of the first rank, he came from four generations of producers of inlaid work, dating back to the 17th century. An innovator who was inhibited by unwillingness to consider changes to traditional methods in Kyoto, he moved to Tokyo, where he succeeded in introducing improvements to the technique.

In 1902, at the age of 35, Fujii obtained his first patent from the Imperial Government. In 1909 he was granted his second patent. His damascene work, being made mostly from designs drawn by Prof. Bisei Unno of the Tokyo Fine Art School, well met the taste and requirements of the time. He was awarded first-class medals for many exhibitions and his work was purchased by the Imperial Household, considered a great honour. He exhibited at the Japan-British Exhibition held in London and at the Tokyo Taisho Exhibition in Tokyo in 1914.