A matching gold-lacquer suzuribako (box for writing utensils) and bunko (document box) together with an unrelated gold-lacquer bundai (writing desk)


Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th centuryThe suzuribako and ryoshibako of standard rectangular form with rounded chiri-i and inrobuta (flush-fitting lids), both entirely covered in rich gold lacquer and decorated predominately in gold takamaki-e, gold togidashi maki-e and e-nashiji with details executed in kirikane with an all-over almost identical scene of thatched dwellings nestled beneath overhanging flowering cherry branches along the rocky banks of a fast-flowing river, the rolling hills of Mount Yoshino in the foreground, the design extending over the sides and the interior of both boxes; the interior of the suzuribako with a fitted removable tray containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone), a gilt-metal suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of cherry blossoms resting on two bamboo rafts and two brushes within nashiji holders; the interior of the lid of the bunko embellished with pine and cherry trees growing on the rocky banks of a winding river, the rims of both boxes and lids edged with silver, the underside of nashiji, the bundai of standard form with fudegaeshi (raised sections to left and right), decorated in gold takamaki-e, e-nashiji and kirikane with a river swirling through a rocky, mountainous landscape among which pines, bamboo and plum grow in profusion, the sides mounted with gilt metal fittings engraved with foliate scrolls, each unsigned and accompanied with a wooden storage box, inscribed respectively Yoshinoyama maki-e suzuribako (Box for writing utensils with maki-e Mount Yoshino design), Yoshinoyama maki-e bunko (Document box with maki-e Mount Yoshino design) and Shochikubai maki-e bundai (Writing desk with maki-e pine, bamboo and plum design) The suzuribako: 5cm x 24.2cm x 22cm (2in x 9½in x 8 5/8in); the bunko: 15cm x 41.2cm x 33.5cm (5 7/8in x 16¼in x 13 3/16in); the bundai: 12.5cm x 57.5cm x 33.6cm (4 7/8in x 22 5/8in x 13¼in). (13).