A fine matching lacquer set of a suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and a bundai (writing desk)


By Uematsu Hobi (1872-1933), Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926), early 20th centuryBoth decorated in contrasting tones of gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e and e-nashiji with details executed in kirikane, the decoration as follows on the kabusebuta (overlapping lid) of the suzuribako: a spring scene comprising a pine tree overgrown with wisteria at the water's edge beside which kumazasa (kuma bamboo leaves) grow from behind rocks, the inside of the lid decorated with shrubs of spring plants including tanpopo (dandelions), tsukushi (horsetails), warabi (ferns) and sumire (violets) beneath a dense reddish-orange nashiji ground, the inside of the box similarly lacquered with spring plants and fitted with a removable tray containing the partially gilt and shakudo oval suiteki (water-dropper) and ink-grinding stone, one unrelated gold-lacquered brush and ink-stick holder, signed in gold lacquer Hobi on the fitted tray; the bundai of standard form with fudegaeshi (raised struts to left and right), similarly lacquered in contrasting tones of gold takamaki-e with an autumnal scene depicting a pine and maple tree behind a bamboo fence over which trailing kuzu (kudzu) vines are draped, the top right corner with flowering chrysanthemums and hagi (bushclover) and sasa (bamboo leaves) issuing from rocks at the water's edge, with details executed in sprinkling of fine kinpun, the sides mounted with silvered-metal fittings engraved with foliate scrolls; with lacquered-wood storage boxes, the lids of each inscribed with the artist's name and description of the contents Shunju maki-e on-suzuribako Hobi (Maki-e box for writing utensils with spring and autumn design by Hobi) and Shunju maki-e on-bundai Hobi (Maki-e writing desk with spring and autumn design by Hobi). The suzuribako: 3.8cm x 24cm x 19.7cm (7¾in x 1½in x 9½in); the bundai: 12.7cm x 35cm x 61cm (5in x 13¾in x 24in). (10).
|Born in Tokyo the first son of the maki-e artist Uematsu Homin (1846-1899), Uematsu Hobi studied the technique of maki-e from his father and design from Kishi Kokei (1839-1922). Celebrated for his sophisticated pictorial style and immaculate technique, he is perhaps best known for a set of suzuribako and bunko with landscape design shown at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900, but he won awards at numerous subsequent exhibitions, including the 8th, 9th, 11th, 13th and 14th Teiten.