SUZUKI MUTSUMI (1942-2009) Two Lacquer Powered-Tea CaddiesProperty of various ownersSUZUKI MUTSUMI (1942-2009)Two Lacquer Powered-Tea CaddiesThe first of hiranatsume (squat tea-caddy) form decorated in black takamaki-e with a design of a leafy plant on a black roiro nuri ground, the interior black; the second decorated in black takamaki-e with a design of flowering prunus, the interior of the blossoms sprinkled with kinpun on a black hakeme nuri ground, the interior and base gold with hirame, the base of each signed MutsuEach with a wood tomobako storage box, the first inscribed Goyō hiranatsume, signed Mutsumi and sealed Mutsumi, the second inscribed Naikin ume ōnatsume, signed Mutsumi and sealed Mutsumi (2) 2 3/8in (6.1cm); 3 1/8in (7.9cm) highProvenanceFlorence and Herbert Irving Collection, nos. 2968 and 2905Christie's New York, The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, March 20, 2019, lot 1407Suzuki Mutsumi was a Kyoto-based lacquer artist who was the third generation in his family lineage. His pieces are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.