Page 75 - Fine Japanese Art Bonhams London May 2018
P. 75
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A FINELY LACQUERED SUZURIBAKO
(BOX FOR WRITING UTENSILS) AND COVER
Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912),
mid to late 19th century
Of standard rectangular form with bevelled edges and kabusebuta with a stalk of wild chrysanthemums beneath a partially rolled misu
(overhanging lid), entirely covered in black lacquer and decorated (bamboo blind), possibly alluding to Chapter 34, Wakana no jo (Young
mainly in gold and red takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, the base of dense Herbs: Part One) from Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji), containing
nashiji, the decoration as follows: on the lid of the suzuribako an two fude (brushes), a kogatana (paper-cutting knife) and a kiri (auger)
elaborate goshoguruma (a court carriage) stationed behind a shibagaki within matching lacquer cases, the brass suiteki (water-dropper) in
(brushwood fence) from behind which is growing a flowering plum the form of a teapot, unsigned; with a wooden storage box inscribed
tree, executed in a combination of lacquer techniques described Goshoguruma maki-e onsuzuribako (maki-e writing box with the design
above and with discrete details in kirikane and e-nashiji, on the interior of a court carriage). 5cm x 24.2cm x 22.2cm (2in x 9½in x 8in). (10).
of the lid embellished with a tasselled fan, a kyosoku (arm rest) and a
vase of chrysanthemums resting in front of a six-panel folding screen £8,000 - 10,000
decorated with geese in sumi-e togidashi-e flying towards a river on a JPY1,200,000 - 1,500,000
mura-nashiji ground, the interior of the box fitted with two removable US$11,000 - 14,000
trays to hold the writing implements, lacquered with a cat toying
For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE JAPANESE ART | 73