A LACQUERED AND GILT WOOD PORTABLE PICNIC SET, SAGEJŪBAKO
Japan, Edo period, 18th century

Rectangular section, the whole surface profusely decorated in relief (hiramaki-e and takamaki-e) on a 'pear skin' ground (nashiji), on the upper shelf a metal handle for the transport, the bottle shaped in two ogives and decorated with geese, the container with four compartments decorated with lobed and fan-shaped reserves, the two smaller containers with branches of flowers.

34 x 20 x 34 cm

Provenance: Italian private collection.
This kind of box was very popular among the wealthy classes, especially during the Edo period. It was used on the occasion of those outings that the Japanese liked so much then as today, during which you could admire and enjoy the beauty of nature.