Japanese Silver Cigarette Case with Flower Cart

This engraved silver cigarette or billfold case exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. Spanning both sides of the exterior is an elaborate design of a traditional flower cart pulling a woven basket of orchids, peonies and chrysanthemums - a mix of flowers that alludes to late summer or autumn. This simple moment acknowledges the passing of time yet celebrates the beauty of the season, no matter how brief. A common motif in Edo-period paintings, the flower cart offers the perfect opportunity for further embellishment, etched with fine details such as scrollwork "carvings" on the wheel or the woven texture of the rope ties.

A "Sterling Silver 950" mark is stamped on the interior and a commemorative engraving on the underside of the lid dates the cigarette case to 1950.