A shell-inlaid rectangular suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and cover


Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th centuryThe outside of the cover entirely inlaid in shell with eight stylised hoshibachi-mon (plum-blossom crests) scattered over the surface and bordered all around by irregular shell kirikane flakes, the inside of the cover decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e with a stag amongst windswept autumnal plants of susuki (pampas grass), hagi (bush clover), ominaeshi (valerian) and kikyo (Chinese bellflowers) on a rich mura-nashiji ground, the inside of the box similarly lacquered with a fitted detachable tray decorated with autumn plants and grasses containing a suzuri ink-grinding stone and a silvered-metal oval suiteki (water-dropper); unsigned. 4.5cm x 26.2cm x 19.5cm (1¾in x 10 3/8in x 7 5/8in). (5).