• An Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell featuring an ornate, hexagonal head and long carved handle with floral and leaf motifs reminiscent of traditional Meiji craftsmanship. Brand: Unknown.
  • An Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell with ornate floral designs and a long octagonal handle rests on a marble surface against a plain white background. Brand: Unknown.
  • The Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell, featuring ornate details and a large square head, is displayed on a polished marble surface against a plain light-colored wall.
  • An Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell with a hexagonal shape and raised animal and bird motifs rests on a marble surface against a plain white background. Brand: None/Unknown.
  • An Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell, hexagonal with embossed designs and a cylindrical handle, sits on a white marble surface. No brand name; features latch and bronze-toned finish reminiscent of classic yatate writing sets.
  • This Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell features a hexagonal bronze box with raised fish and flower designs and a pipe-like handle with a curled end, elegantly presented on marble.
  • A close-up of an Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell with a long handle and ornate floral and animal designs, displayed on a white marble surface. Brand: None or Unknown.
  • A close-up of an Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell shows a rough, irregularly shaped area of oxidized bronze against a soft, blurred background. Brand: Unknown.
  • A close-up of an Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell, featuring a carved animal figure and a curved hook at one end, resting on a white marble surface. Brand: Unknown.
  • Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell with embossed birds and floral motifs, featuring a hexagonal box, long handle, and ornate finial, elegantly displayed on a white marble surface. Brand: Unknown.
  • A hand holds an Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell, hexagonal and brown with two round imprints; the background is a softly blurred, marbled surface in light tones. Brand is unknown.
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None and/or Unknown

Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell

Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Yatate Inkwell

Carefully selected for its quality, character, and lasting appeal.

$225.00 USD
$0.00 USD $225.00 USD
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This finely cast Japanese bronze yatate dates to the Meiji period, a time when Japan was embracing modernization while still honoring centuries-old artistic traditions. Portable writing sets such as this were essential companions for traveling scholars, merchants, and officials, allowing correspondence and record keeping wherever the road might lead. Today, surviving examples are prized not only for their historical significance but also for their sculptural beauty.

The piece features a hexagonal inkwell adorned with delicate relief decoration, likely depicting birds and natural motifs that reflect the Japanese reverence for the natural world. Its elongated brush holder is elegantly proportioned and terminates in a subtle hooked form, while the integrated suspension ring would have allowed the yatate to be carried from a sash or travel bag. The warm, time-developed patina enhances every detail of the casting, giving the surface a richness that only decades of careful preservation can produce.

It is in nice antique condition with surface wear and tonal variation consistent with age and use. The bronze remains structurally sound and displays beautifully, whether incorporated into a scholarly vignette, Asian-inspired interior, or a curated collection of writing antiques. Objects like this offer a tangible connection to the daily rituals of Meiji-era life and make for compelling conversation pieces. 4h x 14w x 4d

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