A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO) DEPICTING SCENES OF THE SUMIYOSHI SHRINE
A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO) DEPICTING SCENES OF THE SUMIYOSHI SHRINE
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These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more
A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO) DEPICTING SCENES OF THE SUMIYOSHI SHRINE

EDO PERIOD (17TH CENTURY)

Details
A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO) DEPICTING SCENES OF THE SUMIYOSHI SHRINE
EDO PERIOD (17TH CENTURY)
Decorated in gold, silver, and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirikane, and gold and silver foils on a nashiji ground, the cover depicting the Sumiyoshi Shrine with a Torii gate, a taikobashi [hump-backed bridge] and the shrine precinct amongst pines, a boat on water and a cart to the front, the interior of the cover with a moon-lit scene with boats on water by pines and reeds, the inner trays similarly decorated and fitted with an ink stone and water dropper, the base and interior in nashiji, fundame rims, fitted wood box titled Jidai maki-e Itabunko suzuribako [An old lacquered writing box]
19.2 x 17.8 x 2.6 cm.
Special notice
These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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Anastasia von Seibold
Anastasia von Seibold

Lot Essay

The Sumiyoshi Shrine is located at the southern part of Osaka and is dedicated to four Shinto deities, each housed in a building of its own. The shrine offered protection and prosperity for sailors, fishermen, poets and merchants.

A Torii gate on the right of the cover marks the entrance to Sumiyoshi Shrine. The buildings, seen at the top left, are in the simple Sumiyoshi style of architecture, roofed with cedar bark. A distinctive arched bridge (taikobashi) crosses a water between the gate and the shrine precinct. The bridge, characteristic of all depictions of Sumiyoshi, is said to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) and his consort Yodogimi in the Keicho era (1596-1615). Other familiar elements of this shrine landscape are the groves of pine trees depicted on both sides of the cover and the inner tray.

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