A finely lacquered suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and cover


Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid to late 19th centuryOf standard rectangular form with bevelled edges and kabusebuta (overhanging lid), entirely covered in black lacquer and decorated mainly in gold and red takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, the base of dense nashiji, the decoration as follows: on the lid of the suzuribako an elaborate goshoguruma (a court carriage) stationed behind a shibagaki (brushwood fence) from behind which is growing a flowering plum tree, executed in a combination of lacquer techniques described above and with discrete details in kirikane and e-nashiji, on the interior of the lid embellished with a tasselled fan, a kyosoku (arm rest) and a vase of chrysanthemums resting in front of a six-panel folding screen decorated with geese in sumi-e togidashi-e flying towards a river on a mura-nashiji ground, the interior of the box fitted with two removable trays to hold the writing implements, lacquered with a cat toying with a stalk of wild chrysanthemums beneath a partially rolled misu (bamboo blind), possibly alluding to Chapter 34, Wakana no jo (Young Herbs: Part One) from Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji), containing two fude (brushes), a kogatana (paper-cutting knife) and a kiri (auger) within matching lacquer cases, the brass suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a teapot, unsigned; with a wooden storage box inscribed Goshoguruma maki-e onsuzuribako (maki-e writing box with the design of a court carriage). 5cm x 24.2cm x 22.2cm (2in x 9½in x 8in). (10).