A Lacquer Suzuribako (Writing Box) and Cover

Of square form with a kabusebuta (overhanging lid), decorated in gold, silver, and coloured hiramaki-e , takamaki-e , and togidashi maki-e with details of okibirame and inlaid shell, on the exterior of the lid a moonlit scene depicting two noblemen seen from inside a circular, bamboo-latticed window, one playing a yokobue (flute) and the second dancing in accompaniment, a landscape painting displayed behind in the tokonoma and a lantern suspended before the bamboo blinds, the interior of the lid with a maple-decorated, roiro-nuri shodana (book shelf stand) displaying on the top shelf several implements associated with kodo (the incense game) including a jukogo (three-tiered box) for storing incense wood, a koro (incense burner), a kyoji-tate (implement stand) holding a habok i ('feather duster') and haibashi (metal ash chopsticks), a paper packet containing fragrant wood, on the other shelves a book, a set of rolled scrolls and a document box, beside a tsuitate screen painted with an oxherd riding an ox, inscribed Morinobu hitsu , a checkered board for game tokens, counters and a brocade pouch scattered on the ground, the interior of the box with a removable ita (baseboard) fitted with a suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a silver suiteki (water dropper) in form of a plum blossom, similarly lacquered with a Chinese vase containing a stalk of chrysanthemum and a teapot on a mat, bearing a gold lacquer hiramaki-e signature Zeshin, all reserved against a ground of polished ishime lacquer.

Estimate:£4,000

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