A Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako Writing Box

Late Edo or early Meiji period, mid-19th century, with domed lid decorated in gold, silver and brown hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, togidashi, kirikane, and inlaid silver in raised decoration of a thatched house with water wheel along a flowing river with cherry blossom trees on surrounding hillsides on nashiji ground, interior of lid is decorated in a similar manner, the interior base is fitted with a removable ink stone and bronze water dropper in the shape of a Japanese cherry blossom, water dropper has running script writing on underside.

9 x 10 3/8 x 1 7/8 in.

Acquired in Japan as a wedding present in the late 1940s.

Probably part of a larger wedding set together with Lot 417.

Overall very good condition; some nicks and losses to edges and rims of box; some loss to edges of interior ink stone; some rubbing to lacquer cover.

$1,000 - 1,500