Vase in a large globe form with a broad, pentagonal neck divided into curved faces by pilaster-like, ribbed columns, the sides of the vase ornamented with three large star-form medallions in two colors of gold, vermilion and brown each radiating from an inlaid pearl center, the neck facets also with diamond-form medallions in vermilion, brown and black around an inlaid raden or mother-of-pearl center. Of roiro or mirror-polished black kanshitsu or dry lacquer, gold and colored takamaki-e or raised lacquers, raden or inlaid mother-of-pearl, and inlaid pearls. By Nakajima Bankichi, working for Hattori Tokeiten. Early Showa era, circa 1930 – 1940.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Kanshitsu Kabin or Dry Lacquer Vase; and on the reverse of the lid signed: Nakajima Bankichi Saku or Made by Nakajima Bankichi, and then inscribed: Hattori Tokeiten Kansei or Finely Made by Hattori Tokeiten, and sealed: Hattori Tokeiten Seiko. The interior of the lid also with the applied red and white printed seal of Hattori Tokeiten.

Hattori Tokeiten was a high-level commissioning house based on the Ginza in Tokyo, and with a branch in Osaka. From the Meiji era up until the Pacific War, Hattori commissioned fine lacquers, metalwork and cloisonné pieces from the leading artists of the day to sell under their own name.