An inlaid-wood and lacquer suzuribako (writing box) Edo period (1615-1868), 18th century The rectangular cypress box decorated with a horned owl perched on a branch looking at the moon in ceramic inlays, iro-e takamaki-e and lacquer simulating pewter, the wood ground lightly stained to accentuate the natural patterns in the grain, the interior with a continuous design of cherry blossoms and pine needles against a ground of mura-nashiji on roiro-nuri, the removable tray fitted with a rectangular inkstone and a bronze oval water dropper, with a ceramic seal Kan in the recess holding the inkstone 8 3/8 x 6 1/4 x 1 5/8in (21.3 x 15.9 x 4.1cm)