Page 198 - Japanese Art Nov 9 2017 London

317 317 *

318 A LACQUERED RYOSHIBAKO
196 | BONHAMS (DOCUMENT BOX) AND COVER WITH
DECORATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989)
era, circa 1912-1938
Of standard rounded rectangular form
with inrobuta (flush-fitting lid) and silver
rims, entirely covered in black lacquer and
decorated mainly in gold and some aokin and
silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and togidashi
maki-e with gold hirame, kinpun, and kirigane,
the outside depicting chrysanthemums (a
mixture of plain and fancy long-petalled
varieties) growing by rustic fences, the inside
depicting chrysanthemums by a steam, the
other surfaces fine gold nashiji, unsigned; with
wood storage box. 15.5cm x 33.7cm x 43cm
(6 1/8in x 13¼in x 16 7/8in). (3).

£4,000 - 6,000
JPY590,000 - 890,000
US$5,300 - 7,900

The motif of flowers by a fence, first seen
in Japanese lacquer during the thirteenth
century, derives from a poem by the Chinese
poet Tao Yuanming (365-427), renowned for
his modesty, love of nature, and disregard for
worldly ambition. The fifth of Tao’s celebrated
Twelve Songs in Praise of Wine contains the
couplet:

I pick chrysanthemums growing beneath the
East Fence
And gaze at the Southern Mountains in the far
distance.

318 *

A GOLD-LACQUERED RYOSHIBAKO
(DOCUMENT BOX) AND COVER
Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era,
early 20th century
Of standard rectangular form with rounded
chiri-i (edges) and inrobuta (flush-fitting
lid), entirely covered in black lacquer and
decorated mainly in gold hiramaki-e and
takamaki-e and gold foil depicting butterflies
and peonies, the interior of the lid with
butterflies and suisen (narcissus), the rest of
the interior gold mura-nashiji, the rims gold
lacquer, the base gold hirame, unsigned;
with lacquered-wood storage box inscribed
Ryoshibako. 14cm x 31.3cm x 40cm
(5½in x 12 3/8in x 15¾in). (3).

£1,500 - 2,000
JPY220,000 - 300,000
US$2,000 - 2,600

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.