Chinese Inkwell

[francolana]

Hello
I find this site very useful, and this is my first time posting a question. I have this inkwell, it has been in my family for ages
need some help identifying the marks and hopefully it's age
thank you
Ilana

[davidross]

The mark to the underside is Kyoto 京都, exactly the same as the Japanese city. It could be the name of a retailer, but this is at best a tentative guess.

Japanese, probably dates to around 1880-1900, and probably made for the domestic market.

I see no mark for silver, and such small items were more commonly made of bronze or white metal (nickel silver, etc) than of silver. Of course, it is very difficult to judge from photographs.

The three characters on the lid (written in the older style, from right to left), in modern style (left to right) would be 太少師¸«, that is, large and small lion. These lions are familiarly called "fu dogs."

Regards,
DR

[davidross]

As an added note, the fu dog is an enduring motif in Chinese art. Chinese motifs recur in Japan art through the centuries. They were particularly very popular in Japan in the mid to late 19th century.

[francolana]

Thank you so much David!!