Page 78 - Fine Japanese Art Bonhams London May 2018

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A LACQUERED RYOSHIBAKO (DOCUMENT BOX) A LACQUERED RYOSHIBAKO (DOCUMENT BOX) AND COVER
AND COVER WITH HAWKS’ FEATHERS WITH DECORATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Edo period (1615-1868), Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, circa 1912-1938
first half of the 19th century Of standard rounded rectangular form with inrobuta (flush-fitting
Of standard rectangular form with inrobuta (flush-fitting lid), the exterior lid) and silver rims, entirely covered in black lacquer and decorated
except for the base entirely covered in loosely woven fabric filled mainly in gold and some aokin and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e,
with black lacquer, the rounded chiri-i (edges) finished in gold nashiji, and togidashi maki-e with gold hirame, kinpun, and kirigane, the
the decoration executed mostly in silver hiramaki-e with some gold outside depicting chrysanthemums (a mixture of plain and fancy
hiramaki-e and kinpun and consisting of one bundle of 14 (on the long-petalled varieties) growing by rustic fences, the inside depicting
cover) and two bundles (on the sides) of six hawks’ feathers, elegantly chrysanthemums by a steam, the other surfaces fine gold nashiji,
arranged on a gold thread; the interior with the ‘dragon-scale’ mon unsigned; with wooden storage box.
(crest) of the Hojo family, in gold hiramaki-e on polished black lacquer, 15.5cm x 33.7cm x 43cm (6 1/8in x 13¼in x 16 7/8in). (3).
the base polished black lacquer, unsigned; with an inscribed
wooden storage box. £3,000 - 4,000
11.6cm x 32cm x 38.4cm (4 5/8in x 12 5/8in x 15 1/8in). (3). JPY450,000 - 600,000
US$4,200 - 5,700
£1,000 - 1,500
JPY150,000 - 230,000 The motif of flowers by a fence, first seen in Japanese lacquer during
US$1,400 - 2,100 the thirteenth century, derives from a poem by the Chinese poet Tao
Yuanming (365-427), renowned for his modesty, love of nature, and
A suzuribako (box for writing utensils) with a very similar motif executed disregard for worldly ambition. The fifth of Tao’s celebrated Twelve
in the same techniques and with the distinctive nashiji decoration to Songs in Praise of Wine contains the couplet:
the borders but on a conventional polished black-lacquer ground is in
the Victoria and Albert Museum, inv. no. W.331-1910. I pick chrysanthemums growing beneath the East Fence
And gaze at the Southern Mountains in the far distance.
Illustrated on page 75.
Illustrated on page 75.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
76 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.