A matching set of a lacquered suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and ryoshibako (document box)


By the Kajikawa family, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th centuryOf standard rectangular form with rounded chiri-i and inrobuta (flush-fitting lids), both entirely covered in black lacquer and decorated mainly in gold and slightly coloured takamaki-e with details executed in e-nashiji, hirame and togidashi maki-e; the decoration as follows: on the lid of the suzuribako, two overlapping ogi (folding fans), each enclosing different scenes, one depicting the balcony of a mansion overlooking a bridge spanning across a river, the other of the shochikubai (pine, plum and pine), the inside of the lid another open fan with two cranes standing among reeds, a closed fan lying beneath, signed in gold lacquer Kajikawa with red seal Kaji, the interior of the box lacquered with sprays of futaba aoi (Asarum caulescens) and a keieikan (courtier's hat), a fitted removable tray containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a gilt-metal circular suiteki (water-dropper) engraved with chrysanthemums; the exterior of the lid of the document box embellished with three open ogi with the design extending over the sides, from top to bottom depicting respectively: the front of a large mansion sheltered beneath pine, a horse race at Kamigamo shrine, and three red-crested cranes standing on the banks of a river among reeds, the inside of the lid with one large open fan enclosing stems of bamboo and overhanging branches of plum above a closed folding fan, signed in gold lacquer Kajikawa with red seal Kaji, an en suite removable tray decorated with a large shishi prancing among peonies issuing from rocks enclosed within an ogi above a partially open ogi, signed in gold lacquer Kajikawa with red seal Kaji; each with a black-lacquered wooden outer storage box, the outer lids of the boxes inscribed respectively in gold lacquer outside on-bunko for the ryoshibako and on-suzuribako for the suzuribako. The ryoshibako: 13.7cm x 42.3cm x 35cm (5 3/8in x 15 5/8in x 13¾in); the suzuribako: 5cm x 24.5cm x 24.5cm (2 1/8in x 8 5/8in x 9½in). (10).
|ProvenanceMarta Clare Collection.Please refer to the following lot for a brief introduction to the collector.