Antique Japanese Ryogaeya Kanban Carved Keyaki Currency Exchange Signboard Edo Meiji 23"H Obi and foot registers carry geometric

and foot registers carry geometric ruyi-head and floral scroll banding in cobalt blue

The carving displays good detail to the turtle shell and flowing scroll motifs along the side of the body

daidai-iro) ground of smooth plain-weave silk with a quiet satin sheen

The contrast of bright blue-and-white porcelain against warm brown silk is particularly striking

5” (Height x Width)

Antique Japanese Ryogaeya Kanban Carved Keyaki Currency Exchange Signboard Edo Meiji 23"H Obi and foot registers carry geometricJapanese katachi kanban () carved keyaki signboard in the form of the rygae money exchange symbol, inscribed (Rygae Currency Exchange) Antique Japanese EdoMeiji Era, 19th century The two large relief carved characters read (Rygae "Currency Exchange"), identifying this as the kanban of a rygae ya () a licensed money changing and exchange establishment, the private banking houses that were among the most powerful commercial institutions of Edo period