Antique Japanese Handcarved Inkan Marble Stamp Zodiac Tiger 3” Shogiban She is wearing a forest

She is wearing a forest green hantan coat with a geometric patterned kimono and obi beneath

Having just been brought back from Japan this lidded container remains in good polish and in fine condition

The top handle is still very secure and provides a convenient way to transport this chest

Suzuribako were used as portable accounting chests (the forerunner of the attaché' case)

This chest was made in the mid Meiji era (1868-1912) of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) front and sugi (cryptomeria) interiors

Antique Japanese Handcarved Inkan Marble Stamp Zodiac Tiger 3” Shogiban She is wearing a forestThis is a vintage Chinese late marble or hard igneous stone name stamp known as an inkan. In Japan and China one does not sign, but rather stamp ones name with a chop or inkan like this one. This inkan has a hand carved Tiger motif on top with a name carved on its flat bottom. The Tiger carving is very well done (see close up pictures). Likely inscribed with a poem. This over a half century old inkan stamp measures 3" tall by 2" wide by 1 1 8 thick.