Antique Japanese Handcarved Inkan Marble Stamp Zodiac Tiger 3” Shogiban harmonizing utility with elegance

harmonizing utility with elegance

Photography: Aya Brackett

The signed kiri wood box is included

Having just been brought back from Japan this lidded container remains in good polish and in fine condition

Suzuribako were used as portable accounting chests (the forerunner of the attaché' case)

Antique Japanese Handcarved Inkan Marble Stamp Zodiac Tiger 3” Shogiban harmonizing utility with eleganceThis is a vintage Chinese late marble or hard igneous stone name stamp known as an inkan. In Japan and China one does not sign, but rather stamp ones name with a chop or inkan like this one. This inkan has a hand carved Tiger motif on top with a name carved on its flat bottom. The Tiger carving is very well done (see close up pictures). Likely inscribed with a poem. This over a half century old inkan stamp measures 3" tall by 2" wide by 1 1 8 thick.