

Lot 60
A shell-inlaid rectangular suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and cover Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
16 May 2019, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£3,000 - £5,000
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Find your local specialistA shell-inlaid rectangular suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and cover
Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
The outside of the cover entirely inlaid in shell with eight stylised hoshibachi-mon (plum-blossom crests) scattered over the surface and bordered all around by irregular shell kirikane flakes, the inside of the cover decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e with a stag amongst windswept autumnal plants of susuki (pampas grass), hagi (bush clover), ominaeshi (valerian) and kikyo (Chinese bellflowers) on a rich mura-nashiji ground, the inside of the box similarly lacquered with a fitted detachable tray decorated with autumn plants and grasses containing a suzuri ink-grinding stone and a silvered-metal oval suiteki (water-dropper); unsigned. 4.5cm x 26.2cm x 19.5cm (1¾in x 10 3/8in x 7 5/8in). (5).
The outside of the cover entirely inlaid in shell with eight stylised hoshibachi-mon (plum-blossom crests) scattered over the surface and bordered all around by irregular shell kirikane flakes, the inside of the cover decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e with a stag amongst windswept autumnal plants of susuki (pampas grass), hagi (bush clover), ominaeshi (valerian) and kikyo (Chinese bellflowers) on a rich mura-nashiji ground, the inside of the box similarly lacquered with a fitted detachable tray decorated with autumn plants and grasses containing a suzuri ink-grinding stone and a silvered-metal oval suiteki (water-dropper); unsigned. 4.5cm x 26.2cm x 19.5cm (1¾in x 10 3/8in x 7 5/8in). (5).