A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)
A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)
A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)
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A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)
6 More
A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)

Edo-Meiji period (19th century)

Details
A set of lacquer writing box (suzuribako) and stationery box (ryoshibako)
Edo-Meiji period (19th century)
Each box elaborately lacquered en suite in gold, silver, black and red hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirikan and togidashi with scattered fans of various designs on a okibirame ground, the interiors designed with seashore scenes, the writing box fitted with a slate inkstone, two brushes, a paper-pricker and a knife, and with a silver water dropper in the outline of overflowing cherry blossoms, silver rims
Writing box 10 ½ x 9 ½ x 2 in. (26.7 x 24.1 x 5.1 cm.); stationery box 17 3/8 x 13 3/8 x 6 3/8 in. (44.1 x 34 x 16.2 cm.)

Lot Essay

The designs of scattered fans were originally developed by a Rimpa artist, Tawaraya Sotatsu (17th century) and continued by his followers. Sotatsu may have based some of his designs on fragments of earlier illustrated handscrolls. Fans associated with his school have become even more important for the reconstruction of those lost scrolls.
The Japanese have painted on paper folding fans since at least the twelfth century. No other culture prizes fans as highly. They are indispensable for both men and women, not only for their functional role but as an intimate surface for painting and poetry and as emblems of elegance. Usually, designs are painted before the paper is folded and pasted onto the bamboo ribs. By the fifteenth century, artists began to arrange fans on folding screens. This subject was applied to various designs of lacquer works as well.

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