HATTORI TOSHIO: A SMALL BLACK AND GOLD LACQUER SUZURIBAKO WITH CARTWHEELS IN WATERBy Hattori Toshio (b. 1943), signed ToshiJapan, Kyoto, second half of 20th century, Showa period (1926-1989)Of rectangular form with rounded corners, bearing a lustrous roiro ground throughout, the exterior sides of the box and exterior of the cover finely decorated in gold and little silver takamaki-e with cartwheels flowing in a dynamically executed body of water with many swirls and gushes as well as scattered dew drops, the interior tray fitted with a rectangular ink stone and silver suiteki (waterdropper), the underside of the suzuribako signed TOSHI.SIZE 25 x 11.5 x 3.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: Dutch collection.With the original wooden tomobako with hakogaki reading Namikuruma makie suzuribako (The writing box set, with a design of wheels in water), as well as a leaflet written in Japanese with the artist’s biography up to 1987.Hattori Toshio (b. 1943), art name Hattori Shunsho, was first selected for the Nitten exhibition in Showa 38 (1963). Since then, he has exhibited more than twenty times at the Nitten and other exhibitions, winning numerous prestigious awards. In 1995, he had an audience with Pope John Paul II and presented the Pope with a lacquer reading table. In 2004, he created the shelves for the guest room of the Kyoto State Guest House of the Government of Japan. He is a member of the Kyoto Crafts Artists Association, the Kyoto Lacquer Artists Association, and the Sokokai.Literature comparison: Compare an earlier tebako with a closely related depiction, dated 17th-18th century, in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, accession number N-93.Auction comparison: Compare a related roiro lacquer suzuribako and cover by Odawara Toshio (1915-1968), also dated Showa period, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2011, London, lot 97 (sold for 2,000 GBP). Notes RefButton4