A set of four Japanese lacquer ware Sake bowls, 19th century, [4], all with fine gold Makie designs of pine & plum trees on a red background, contemporary historical research indicates that the knowledge of urushi lacquer technology was introduced from china to Korea, & from there to Japan. Though Japan had also been using lacquer in ancient times, from that time onward, as Japanese culture developed, so did its use of lacquer and its application to bowls, plates, trays, sake cups, boxes, combs & other objects. As Japanese civilization developed, lacquer ware techniques continuously incorporated ever more refined styles. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 10 cm to 21 cm