Page 51 - Christies Japanese and Korean Art Sept 22 2020 NYC

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A LACQUER COSMETIC BOX (TEBAKO) PROVENANCE:
The Matsudaira Familly, Tokushima Prefecture
EDO PERIOF (17TH-18TH CENTURY)
The rectangular box with rounded corners and slightly domed lid In the Japanese imagination, luxurious clusters of chrysanthemums
decorated in gold and silver lacquer and inlaid kirikane with branches (kiku) immediately call to mind Kikujido (The Boy with the
of chrysanthemum by a stream on a fine nashiji ground, applied with Chrysanthemums), who became an immortal by writing the words
an inner tray, underside of the lid and sides on inner tray decorated en of the Lotus Sutra on chrysanthemum leaves in a beautiful valley
suite, the interior of box lined with orange textile brimming with flowers. From popular woodblock prints to Noh
12æ x 8º x 10 in. (32.4 x 21 x 25.4 cm.) dance, this auspicious theme of longevity, adapted from Chinese
With lacquer storage box titled kiku maki-e tebako (lacquer accessory legend, had wide appeal in Edo-period Japan. The boy dancing
box with chrysanthemums) in gold lacquer and a paper label with mums became a trope for purity.
inscribed Ashu Matsudaira ke kuzo (Collection of Matsudaira Familly,
Tokushima Prefecture) affixed on top
$40,000-60,000

(another view)