Lot 70*
A fine matching set of a gold-lacquer and inlaid suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and a ryoshibako (document box) Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid/late 19th century
16 May 2019, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £53,812.50 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Japanese Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistA fine matching set of a gold-lacquer and inlaid suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and a ryoshibako (document box)
Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid/late 19th century
Each of standard rectangular form wth rounded chiri-i and inrobuta (flush-fitting lids), both entirely covered in rich gold lacquer and decorated in predominantly in gold takamaki-e, kirikane mosiac and gold togidashi maki-e with details executed in high-relief inlay of silver, gold, bronze and copper; the decoration as follows: on the lid of the ryoshibako, 14 birds of different species including two songbirds, flying pheasants, pair of perched pigeons, two pairs of martins, one picking gathering mud for a nest, a grebe on the water, the interior of the lid with a further 14 birds among thatched dwellings nestled beneath spreading pine, all in flight or perched on flowering cherry branches along the rocky banks of a fast-flowing river, the rolling hills of Mount Yoshino in the background, the design extending over the sides of both boxes; the exterior of the lid on the suzuribako with nine birds comprising a group of pheasants, two in flight and several resting on the bottom right, a pair of pigeons, the interior of the lid with a further seven birds in similar landscape, the interior of the box fitted with a detachable tray containing the ink-grinding stone and a complete set of finest-quality writing utensils: two fude (brushes), a kogatana (paper-cutting knife), a kiri (auger) and a sumitori (ink-holder), finished in lacquer and metal, the metal suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of clustered pine and cherry blossoms, each unsigned and accompanied with an inner black-lacquered box and outer wood storage box (double-storage boxes), inscribed respectively on the lid of the inner box for the suzuribako Kinji sansui maki-e suzuribako (Box for writing utensils with gold maki-e landscape design) and Kinji sansui maki-e on-ryoshi (Document [box] with gold maki-e landscape design) for the ryoshibako. The suzuribako: 4.5cm x 26.8cm x 23.5cm (1¾in x 10½in x 9¼in); the ryoshibako: 16.2cm x 44.4cm x 35.2cm (6 3/16in x 17¼in x 13 7/8in). (16).
Each of standard rectangular form wth rounded chiri-i and inrobuta (flush-fitting lids), both entirely covered in rich gold lacquer and decorated in predominantly in gold takamaki-e, kirikane mosiac and gold togidashi maki-e with details executed in high-relief inlay of silver, gold, bronze and copper; the decoration as follows: on the lid of the ryoshibako, 14 birds of different species including two songbirds, flying pheasants, pair of perched pigeons, two pairs of martins, one picking gathering mud for a nest, a grebe on the water, the interior of the lid with a further 14 birds among thatched dwellings nestled beneath spreading pine, all in flight or perched on flowering cherry branches along the rocky banks of a fast-flowing river, the rolling hills of Mount Yoshino in the background, the design extending over the sides of both boxes; the exterior of the lid on the suzuribako with nine birds comprising a group of pheasants, two in flight and several resting on the bottom right, a pair of pigeons, the interior of the lid with a further seven birds in similar landscape, the interior of the box fitted with a detachable tray containing the ink-grinding stone and a complete set of finest-quality writing utensils: two fude (brushes), a kogatana (paper-cutting knife), a kiri (auger) and a sumitori (ink-holder), finished in lacquer and metal, the metal suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of clustered pine and cherry blossoms, each unsigned and accompanied with an inner black-lacquered box and outer wood storage box (double-storage boxes), inscribed respectively on the lid of the inner box for the suzuribako Kinji sansui maki-e suzuribako (Box for writing utensils with gold maki-e landscape design) and Kinji sansui maki-e on-ryoshi (Document [box] with gold maki-e landscape design) for the ryoshibako. The suzuribako: 4.5cm x 26.8cm x 23.5cm (1¾in x 10½in x 9¼in); the ryoshibako: 16.2cm x 44.4cm x 35.2cm (6 3/16in x 17¼in x 13 7/8in). (16).
