Page 39 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Japanese Art

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A FINE MATCHING LACQUER SET OF A SUZURIBAKO (BOX silvered-metal fittings engraved with foliate scrolls; with lacquered-
FOR WRITING UTENSILS) AND A BUNDAI (WRITING DESK) wood storage boxes, the lids of each inscribed with the artist’s name
By Uematsu Hobi (1872-1933), Meiji (1868-1912) and description of the contents Shunju maki-e on-suzuribako Hobi
or Taisho (1912-1926), early 20th century (Maki-e box for writing utensils with spring and autumn design by Hobi)
Both decorated in contrasting tones of gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e and Shunju maki-e on-bundai Hobi (Maki-e writing desk with spring
and e-nashiji with details executed in kirikane, the decoration as follows and autumn design by Hobi).
on the kabusebuta (overlapping lid) of the suzuribako: a spring scene The suzuribako: 3.8cm x 24cm x 19.7cm (7¾in x 1½in x 9½in);
comprising a pine tree overgrown with wisteria at the water’s edge the bundai: 12.7cm x 35cm x 61cm (5in x 13¾in x 24in). (10).
beside which kumazasa (kuma bamboo leaves) grow from behind
rocks, the inside of the lid decorated with shrubs of spring plants £50,000 - 80,000
including tanpopo (dandelions), tsukushi (horsetails), warabi (ferns) and JPY7,300,000 - 12,000,000
sumire (violets) beneath a dense reddish-orange nashiji ground, the US$65,000 - 100,000
inside of the box similarly lacquered with spring plants and fitted with
a removable tray containing the partially gilt and shakudo oval suiteki Born in Tokyo the first son of the maki-e artist Uematsu Homin
(water-dropper) and ink-grinding stone, one unrelated gold-lacquered
brush and ink-stick holder, signed in gold lacquer Hobi on the fitted (1846-1899), Uematsu Hobi studied the technique of maki-e from his
father and design from Kishi Kokei (1839-1922). Celebrated for his
tray; the bundai of standard form with fudegaeshi (raised struts to left
and right), similarly lacquered in contrasting tones of gold takamaki-e sophisticated pictorial style and immaculate technique, he is perhaps
with an autumnal scene depicting a pine and maple tree behind a best known for a set of suzuribako and bunko with landscape design
shown at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900, but he won awards at
bamboo fence over which trailing kuzu (kudzu) vines are draped, the
top right corner with flowering chrysanthemums and hagi (bushclover) numerous subsequent exhibitions, including the 8th, 9th, 11th,
13th and 14th Teiten.
and sasa (bamboo leaves) issuing from rocks at the water’s edge, with
details executed in sprinkling of fine kinpun, the sides mounted with

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 | 37