EDO PERIOD (17TH-18TH CENTURY)

Details

A CHABAKO [TEA CEREMONY UTENSILS BOX]
Edo Period (17th-18th Century)
With flush-fitting lid, the exterior black lacquer ground covered with a tight key-fret pattern in gold hiramaki-e, decorated in takamaki-e, gold and silver kirikane, shell and tin inlay and gold and silver heidatsu, depicting shells for kai-awase, some decorated with scrolling waves and cherry blossom, together with tato [wrapping paper for combs, incense and other small valuables] decorated with various patterns including maple leaves and waves, pine and gourd vines, the interior nashiji, fundame rims
5 3/8 x 7 5/8 x 4½in. (13.6 x 19.5 x 11.4cm.)

Literature

Mike and Hiroko Dean, Nihon no Shikki Japanese Lacquer - an Exposition (Kyoto, 1984), no. 22

Special notice

This lot will be subject to VAT at the rate of 17.5% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The shells are those of the hamaguri clam of which only an original pair will fit together. They are used in the game of Kai-awase, which involves matching the shells in pairs. The game was popular amongst ladies of the court in the 13th and 14th century and the shells for the game were kept in a pair of lacquered kaioke [shell boxes]. It was because of the unique fit of each pair of shells, they were thought to be auspicious on the occasion of marriage in important families. A set of Kai-awase, in its kaoike, traditionally led the procession bringing the dowry of a bride to the house of her intended.

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