An unusual matching gold lacquer and silver-inlaid ryoshibako (document box) and suzuribako (writing box) set By Chikueido Eishin (1849-1915), Meiji Period
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Find your local specialistAn unusual matching gold lacquer and silver-inlaid ryoshibako (document box) and suzuribako (writing box) set
Both bearing a basketwork ground and overlaid with a silver openwork design, the writing box decorated with maple leaves floating on a stream, partially concealing the characters Akakabe (Red Cliff); the document box with cherry blossoms strewn on the stream and hiding the characters Nantei; the interior of each bearing a nashiji ground, the suzuribako with a river scene with mountains in the distance; the ryoshibako with a pavilion amid pine trees and stands of bamboo on a rocky hillside, beside a rushing stream with a rustic bridge in the foreground, all embellished in takamakie and hiramakie with details of kirigane and togidashi, the rims mounted with silver, unsigned; each with tomobako, titled and signed by the artist Chikueido Eishin zo with seal Eishin. The suzuribako 24.2cm (9½in) x 22.2cm (8¾in) x 5.7cm (2¼in); the ryoshibako 41.3cm (16¼in) x 32.1cm (12 5/8in) x 13.3cm (5¼in). (4).
Footnotes
銀流水桜花図透彫料紙箱・銀流水楓図透彫硯箱 竹影堂栄真 明治時代
Chikujiro (Chikueido Eishin's real name) came from a distinguished family of fine metalworkers producing menuki and other sword furniture, a trade first established by his ancestor Kingo, during the Kansei era (1789-1801). Chikujiro himself was best known for his intricately cast metal okimono which he produced for both the domestic market and for exhibition abroad in Europe.
The superb quality of the artist's metalwork gained worldwide recognition which culminated in obtaining private commissions from his late Royal Highness Arisugawa, who conferred upon the artist the go Chikueido Eishin.
