Lot 83
A matching gold-lacquer suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and ryoshibako (document box) set and covers Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century/early 20th century
7 November 2019, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£10,000 - £15,000
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 specialistAsk about this lot
Shipping (UK)
A matching gold-lacquer suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and ryoshibako (document box) set and covers
Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century/early 20th century
Both decorated predominantly in gold takamaki-e, e-nashiji and kirikane, the decoration as follows: on the bevelled-edged kabusebuta (overlapping cover) of the suzuribako: two oarsmen ferrying sheaves of rice on a boat approaching a bridge spanning a lake set with buildings beneath spreading pine and willow, a waterwheel in the lower foreground, three cranes in flight between three omote-manji (left-facing Buddhist swastika) crests, the design extending over the sides, the inside of the lid embellished with a pagoda and a Chinese building set on the rocky banks of a lake, a partially obscured full moon inlaid in silver emerging from peaks in the distance, all reserved on a dense nashiji ground, the interior of the box with a fitted removable tray and removable board containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and gilt suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a used inkstick; the exterior of the inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid of the ryoshibako similarly decorated with the oarsmen shown instead on the sides of the box, additional omote-manji crests scattered on all sides, the inside of the lid embellished in dense rich nashiji; with a wood storage box for the suzuribako. The suzuribako: 4.5cm x 22.5cm x 20.6cm (1¾in x 8 7/8in x 8 1/8in); the ryoshibako: 14cm x 41cm x 32.5cm (5½in x 16 1/8in x 12¾in). (9).
Both decorated predominantly in gold takamaki-e, e-nashiji and kirikane, the decoration as follows: on the bevelled-edged kabusebuta (overlapping cover) of the suzuribako: two oarsmen ferrying sheaves of rice on a boat approaching a bridge spanning a lake set with buildings beneath spreading pine and willow, a waterwheel in the lower foreground, three cranes in flight between three omote-manji (left-facing Buddhist swastika) crests, the design extending over the sides, the inside of the lid embellished with a pagoda and a Chinese building set on the rocky banks of a lake, a partially obscured full moon inlaid in silver emerging from peaks in the distance, all reserved on a dense nashiji ground, the interior of the box with a fitted removable tray and removable board containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and gilt suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a used inkstick; the exterior of the inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid of the ryoshibako similarly decorated with the oarsmen shown instead on the sides of the box, additional omote-manji crests scattered on all sides, the inside of the lid embellished in dense rich nashiji; with a wood storage box for the suzuribako. The suzuribako: 4.5cm x 22.5cm x 20.6cm (1¾in x 8 7/8in x 8 1/8in); the ryoshibako: 14cm x 41cm x 32.5cm (5½in x 16 1/8in x 12¾in). (9).
Footnotes
Provenance:
Sandy A. Mactaggart Collection.
The decoration of this set likely represents the town of Uji with some of its iconic landmarks, including Uji Bridge, the famous Byodo-in Temple and Mount Asahi off in the distance.
