Silver-plated Squid Dish - Japan

Silver-plated dish with an engraved design of swimming squid. Engraved signature.

Artist: Hiramatsu Hiroharu (1896–1971)
Japan, circa 1950, 29 x 2 cm.
With its original box signed by the artist.

Some minor imperfections on the back of the piece (see photos).

Hiramatsu Hiroharu, born in 1896 in Hyogo Prefecture, was an artist specializing in metalwork. He studied under Katsura Mitsuharu (1871–1962), one of the great masters of metal art in the modern era. 
In 1934, he was selected for the first time for the Nitten Fine Arts Exhibition of Japan, where he would exhibit every year after the end of the war.

He also served as a judge for Nitten on several occasions, as well as for the Kansai Art Exhibition and the Osaka City Exhibition.

Some of Hiramatsu Hirioharu’s works were acquired by the Imperial Household Agency and presented to Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako, the Imperial Palace in Togu, and the Hitachi Imperial Family.  

Advisor to the Contemporary Crafts Artists Association and professor at Osaka University of Arts.
Recipient of the Osaka Prefecture Art Award and named an honorary citizen of Ikeda City.