Edo period (mid-19th century)

Details

A Lacquer Kobako [Small Box]
Edo period (mid-19th century)
The rectangular box with flush-fitting slightly domed cover, decorated in gold, silver and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, togidashi, kinpun, cut gold foil and hirame, the cover depicting a scene of Matsuho Bay from a poem by Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241), seaweed burner’s huts beneath pine trees on a seashore, stylised chidori [plovers] flying of the distance, the design continuing over the sides with further pine trees, mura-nashiji interior, fundame rims
12.4cm. long

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.

Brought to you by

Christine Bowie

cbowie@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3178

Lot Essay

This box depicts the scene of a poem by Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241), the anthologist and master poet, included in the Hyakunin isshu [The hundred poems by the hundred poets] that Teika compiled around 1235.

Konu hito o
Matsuho no ura no
Yunagi ni
Yaku ya moshio no
Mi mo kogare tsutsu

Like the seaweed burnt for salt
at Matsuho Bay
in the evening calm
my being is aflame
awaiting him who does not come

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