A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae 1927 to 1931
Lot 105
A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae
1927 to 1931
Sold for £11,875 (US$ 15,282) inc. premium

Asian Art

15 Nov 2012, 11:00 GMT

Edinburgh
Lot Details
A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae 1927 to 1931 A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae 1927 to 1931 A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae 1927 to 1931
A set of three fine gold graduated sake cups and an Imperial Order of the Rising Sun presentation box with certificate and associated archive relating to Mr John Rae
1927 to 1931
The cups with shallow bowls and raised on slightly spreading footrims engraved to the upper surface with a single Paulownia flower, marked M to base within a star motif, largest cup 11.2cm diameter, 3.3cm high, total weight of cups 334g, Accompanying the lot is an Analysis and Inspection Report from the Edinburgh Assay Office dated 25 September 2012 declaring the bowls are constructed of gold with fineness greater than 999 parts per thousand, the finely crafted lacquer box with gilt Hiramake decoration of Paulownia flowers, the interior with inscription on a nashiji ground, with original ribbon ties, 24cm long, 12cm wide, (the insignia/medal lacking),

Footnotes

  • The Imperial Order of the Rising Sun (2nd Class, the highest honour permitted to non-Japanese nationals) was presented by Emperor Hirohito in 1927 in recognition of Mr John Rae's personal efforts as General Manager of The Westminster Bank instigating and securing international banking cooperation to raise reconstruction loans following the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923.

    Continuing valuable financial support by Westminster Bank rendered to Japan led to a further award to Mr Rae of these three Gold Cups. It is recorded that no one individual could receive a second Imperial Order and that the Golden Cups were a fitting substitute to once again honour Mr Rae.

    Records of Westminster Bank, now part of The Royal Bank Of Scotland Group, confirm that a single Golden Dish identical to the examples here was gifted in thanks for their leading role in the reconstruction campaign.

    Accompanying this lot is an archive of letters and documents relating to the gifts including; the original certificate of award of the insignia of the Imperial Order of The Rising Sun bearing the Seal of the Empire of Japan, The licence to wear the insignia granted by George V, letters of application for the same, two photographs of Tsushima Juichi, Japanese Overseas Financial Commissioner and other related ephemera.
Activities
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