EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

A lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and matching stationery box (ryoshibako)
Edo period (19th century)
Each of the boxes decorated with scenery of Mount Yoshino showing the mountains with blossoming cherry trees by a stream; the writting box elaborately lacquered in gold, silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirikane and inlaid gold and silver blossoms for the cherry trees, the interior decorated in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, togidashi, kirikane and inlaid gold and silver with cherry blossoms floating among the waves under the shining sun; fitted with a slate inkstone with fundame rims and nashiji base, a silver water dropper with gold cherry trees in a leaf-edged saucer in gold and silver, and a knife, paper pricker, two brushes and inkstick holder; the stationery box decorated en suite with inlaid silver moon on the reverse side of the lid
Writing box 9¼ x 8¼ x 1½in. (23.5 x 21 x 3.8cm.)
Stationery box 16 x 12¼ x 5½in. (40.6 x 31.1 x 14cm.)

Lot Essay

Mount Yoshino in Nara, famous for the grand panorama of rounded hills covered with blossoming cherry trees in spring, has been a tourist attraction since the seventh century. It is one of the celebrated places in Japan and a favorite subject for paintings and the decorative arts (see lot 622).

More from Japanese and Korean Art

View All