Page 153 - Bonhams May 2017 London Fine Japanese Art

232* (interior)
A LACQUERED AND
INLAID SUZURIBAKO
(BOX FOR WRITING UTENSILS)
AND COVER
Edo period (1615-1868),
late 18th/early 19th century
In the form typically associated
with lacquerers in the Rinpa style,
the rectangular box with a lid with
bevelled edges, held in place on
the box by two gold-lacquered
horizontal members on the reverse,
the box supported on four bracket
feet, the whole covered in black
lacquer and decorated on the lid
with a dragonfly and pea plant
executed in pewter, glazed ceramic,
shell, and dull gold low takamaki-e;
the reverse of the lid with three fish
and a crab inlaid in shell, horn, and
other materials, with waves and
seaweed executed in gold and
silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e,
gold hirame, and muranashiji; the
interior of the box with a partially
gold-lacquered suzuri (ink stone)
and a silvered-copper suiteki (water-
dropper) in the form of an aubergine;
the other surfaces either plain black
lacquer or plain lacquer with gold
hirame; with a wooden storage box.
5.5cm x 19.7cm x 27.2cm
(2 1/8in x 7¾in x 10¾in). (6).

£4,000 - 5,000
JPY550,000 - 690,000
US$5,000 - 6,200

This box appears to have been
executed under the supervision of
an artist working in the tradition of
decoration established by Hon’ami
Koetsu (1558-1637) and Ogata
Korin (1658-1716) using bold inlay
of shell, pewter, and (later) pottery
in addition to conventional lacquer.
The individual most likely to have
been involved is perhaps Nomura
Chohei, who was active in the later
eighteenth century and is known
for inlay of fish designs in a similar
style: for an example sold in these
rooms see The Edward Wrangham
Collection of Japanese Art: Part IV,
Wednesday 6 November 2013, lot 343.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot FINE JAPANESE ART | 151
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.