By Hirata Shigemitsu (1855-1926), signed Shigemitsu with kakihanJapan, late 19th century to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)The box and cover of rectangular form, the cover opening to reveal two compartments, further with a drawer fitted with a chrysanthemum knob handle, the trays of oval form with shallow rounded sides supported on four short bracket feet. The sides of the box, the top of the cover, and the interiors of the tray are all neatly incised with lotus flowers and scrolling foliage. The interior of the cover with the signature SHIGEMITSU with a kakihan above the silver hallmark Jungin (pure silver).SIZE 22 x 14.3 x 7.2 cm (the box and cover), LENGTH 18.3 cm (each tray)WEIGHT 3,220 gCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear and light scratches.Provenance: De-accession of The Dr. István Zelnik Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.Hirata Shigemitsu (1855-1926) was one of the most prominent metal-hammering craftsmen of the Meiji period. He produced work mainly for the Imperial Household and exhibited regularly in international exhibitions. With Kurokawa Eisho (1854-1917), Hirata initiated the metal-hammering division of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo Society of Metal Artists), founded in 1887.Literature comparison: For a pair of silver vases by Hirata Shigemitsu in the collection of the Imperial Household, see Museum of the Imperial Collections [Sannomaru Shozokan] (1995) Meiji bijutsu saiken I (Reappraisal of Meiji Art I), The Era of Meiji Bijutsu-kai and Nihon Kinko Kyokai, no. 27.Auction comparison: Compare a large Imperial silver presentation bowl by Hirata Shigemitsu at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 March 2014, New York, lot 522 (sold for 37,500 USD), and another at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2014, New York, lot 3282 (sold for 36,250 USD).