Two Exquisite Padded Silk Figures made by the S. Shobey Silk Store
[Japan] Two very impressive figures of a lord and a courier made of fine silk and mounted on card. Each stamped, 'Silk Store S. Shobey', on the rear and were designed to be displayed on a wall. Presumably produced for a World Exposition or other such event to promote his business, the S. Shobey Silk Store was founded in Yokohama in 1859 by Shiino Shobei (1839-1900) and he was sent by the Meiji government to attend the Vienna Exposition of 1873. He exhibited at all subsequent expositions (Philadelphia 1876, Paris 1878, Melbourne 1880, Barcelona 1888, Chicago 1893 etc.) until his death in 1900. The S. Shobey Silk Store won numerous awards at these events.
Yokohama. S. Shobey Silk Store. c1880 (possibly earlier).
Lord measures approx. 48 x 22cm (at widest point). Courier 46 x 28cm.
Both in surprisingly good condition with only minor age wear. nb35030004
