This smoking table is either Japanese or Chinese (not sure). The table is 2 made of 2 pieces, a wooden base and a brass or bronze (not sure) removable floating top. It has 10 accessories: 1 medium size plate or platter, 1 ashtray, 4 saucers, 2 boxes, 1 small box with open sides and a screw bottom (possibly for matches?) and a vase-type container with a removable lid and carved wooden stand.
The wooden base has an X design and unfolds to accomodate the table top. Once unfolded, the base has 4 posts that are each topped with a bronze or brass (not sure) dragon head. The dragon's mouths are open and from each open mouth hangs a ring with an attached hook. There are Japanese or Chinese (not sure of language) carvings on the base of the table and up the sides of the posts (see photos). The wood needs some restoration work (see broken carving on upper left leg in photo).
The table top has 4 holes around the sids which link into the hooks that hang off the dragon's mouths on the base. When attached the table top "floats" or hangs and over the years has become less sturdy and some of the wood needs repair. I do not want to risk damaging the table which is why I did not attempt to put it together in the photos. The table top itself has raised sides which are 1" deep. The table top is adorned with 4 dragons and intricate scroll work and other details. I am not sure if the table top is painted or if the artwork is inlay. The colors are vibrant. Discoloration or dullness in the photos is because of the flash on my camera and the fact that the table top is black (glare).
The accessories all have matching dragon artwork. The medium sized platter is 12 3/4" wide and is 1" deep. The 4 saucers/small plates are 4" wide. The 2 boxes are 5" X 3 1/2" X 2" deep. The vase/jar with lid is 8" tall when on top of the wooden base and 6 1/2" tall when removed from the wooden base. The table top and all accessories have a pretty blue finish on their undersides/insides (see photos).
Re: Japanese or Chinese Smoking Table
You have a beautiful set of Chinese Cloisonne....with the large size pieces and all the matching smalls, your set would be very desirable to a cloisonne collector. It is most likely post revolution, or republic period...and may have been made around the time your grandfather bought it...the value of cloisonne is based on the condition of the enamel. The wood portion repaired or restored. I would have no problem putting a $750-1000 price tag on it.
Re: Japanese or Chinese Smoking Table
Hi Nekonook thanks for taking the time to reply. Thank you for letting me know that this is in fact Chinese. I was wondering if you could identify the carvings on the table base and sides. Maybe they are maker marks? I was also wondering if you are 100% sure that this is cloisonne. I was reading a little bit about Chinese cloisonne and I found out the following:
To produce a cloisonné utensil, the artist first produces a copper roughcast, attaches some copper wires forming decorative patterns, adds enamel between the spaces in the wires, and then fires the item in a kiln. Chinese cloisonné is sometimes confused with Canton enamel, a similar type of enamel work that is painted on freehand and does not utilize partitions to hold the colors separate.
The pieces are quite hefty in weight...maybe that would be a determining factor in figuring out if it is cloisonne or canton enamel? Would you recommend repairing the wood? Lastly, is this in fact a smoking table? Or is it used for something else? Thanks again for the information.
Re: Japanese or Chinese Smoking Table
If you look very closely you will see that each color is separated by a very thin metal band...this is cloisonne....I can't translate the writing for you...most likely it is not a makers mark, but usually a buddhist saying. It does appear to be a smoking set...but most pieces in Chinese and Japanese homes have a multitude of purpose, so would have been used as a functional table for serving as well.