A small lacquer suzuribako (writing box)


Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th centuryThe rounded rectangular box with kabusebuta (overhanging cover) decorated in the Rinpa style with a group of cranes standing by a stream in gold takamaki-e and inlays of pewter and mother-of-pearl, the interior decorated with a cottage below maple trees, the removable inner tray decorated with bellflowers, fitted with an inkstone with fundame edges, a gilt-silver oval water-dropper, and a paper knife lacquered with swirling waves in silver and gold 6 1/8 x 4 3/4 x 1 3/8in (15.5 x 12 x 3.5)cm