‘Rinpa School’-style black and gold lacquer suzuri’bako 硯箱
Price: € 3.850,00
Amazing rectangular ‘Rinpa School’-style black and gold lacquer suzuri’bako 硯箱 (writing box) with a slightly arched well-fitted overhanging cover with rounded corners.
The lid with a design of a starry night with a large crescent moon of inlaid silver and pewter. Illuminating an impressive golden plum tree 梅 (ume) grown in large curves and in full bloom. Executed in gold and black takamaki-e 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer design).
The interior of the cover with an impressive phoenix 鳳凰 (hô’ô) surrounded by clusters of 5-7-5 paulownia 桐 (kiri) leaves and flowers, with some plum blossoms scattered across them. The raised maki-e in different shades of gold and silver is set on a nashiji 梨子地 (sprinkled gold lacquer) substrate.
This design continues on the interior of the box.
The box with a fitted open tray housing an inkstone 硯 (suzuri) and a waterdropper 水滴 (suiteki). The copper oval waterdropper with a flower design in relief.
The bottom side of the box lacquered black.
Dimensions:
Height 3.7 cm, Width 20.2 cm, Depth 22.2 cm
Period: Early Meiji period (Second half 19th century).
The box is in a good condition with some traces consistent with age and use, like some minor age cracks and minimal flaking. The tray with a restoration. For a clear condition reference, please look at the photos as well.
According to legend, the ho-o bird will only nest in paulownia trees, and only in peacetime and when a virtuous ruler is in power. With hopes of attracting the auspicious birds, the trees are planted in courtyards and gardens across Japan.
The Rinpa School 琳派 was a key part of the Edo period revival of indigenous Japanese artistic interests described by the term yamato-e. Paintings, textiles, ceramics, and lacquerwares were decorated by Rinpa artists with vibrant colours applied in a highly decorative and patterned manner. Favoured themes, which often contained evocative references to nature and the seasons, were drawn from Japanese literature, notably The Tale of Genji, The Tales of Ise, and Heian-period poems composed by courtiers. (From the MET museum).
When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.
