Meiji Japanese silver dresser tray

A charming antique Japanese silver dresser tray with wood base - possibly cherry wood - silver border and raised handles. The border is hand-hammered and decorated with applied cherry blossom mounts while the raised handles are in the form of bamboo poles held in place with silver ropes.

Based in Yokohama and colloquially known as the Asprey of Asia, Kühn & Komo established one of the Meiji period's (1868-1912) most important silversmithing workshops, and retailed extremely fine silverware and decorative arts for the European market. Many of K&K's silversmiths were former Samurai after their warrior culture was outlawed. The Meiji silversmiths were so highly regarded that the leading British firms sent their staff to learn - or rather steal - the secrets of the Samurai.