MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Matching Table (Bundai)
Meiji Period (late 19th century)
Each designed with some of the Eight Views of Omi (Omi hakkei) [Lake Biwa] in takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, togidashi, nashiji, okibirame and kimpun, the rectangular writing box decorated on the exterior with scenes around Lake Biwa, including the long bridge at Seta, returning sails at Yabase and the fishing pavilion (ukimido) at Katata; fitted with a removable implement tray containing an inkstone, a round silver water dropper in a silver saucer, and two writing brushes, a paper knife and paper-pricker in matching silver-mounted nashiji cases

The rectangular table raised on four trefoil feet, decorated on the writing surface with returning sails at Yabase, Zeze Castle, evening snow at Mount Hira, the pine tree at Karasaki and the long bridge at Seta, mounted with silver and gilt-metal fittings in imitation of gyobu lacquer
Writing box 10 1/4 x 9 x 1 7/8in. (26 x 22.9 x 4.7cm.), table 24 x 14 1/2 x 5in. (61 x 36.8 x 12.7cm.) (2)

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Lot Essay

The many beauty spots around Lake Biwa, northeast of Kyoto, were catalogued in a manner intended to replicate the Eight Scenic Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers in China. The Eight Views of Omi are shown in screen paintings dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth century, but the subject was recorded as early as the Heian period. On both screens and lacquer, however, the artist may choose to represent only a selected number of views, or beauty spots. It is sometimes difficult to know whether the subject is, in fact, the "Eight Views" or simply "Famous Views" around Lake Biwa. The largest body of fresh water in Japan, Lake Biwa was the prosperous center of present-day Shiga prefecture, a major focal point for pilgrims and tourists.

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