An unusual gold lacquer fumibako (box for letters)Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1900The rectangular box decorated in gold hiramaki-e on a kinpun ground with omodaka (water plantain) and bamboo sprays, the interior tray fitted with an inkstone and silver floral-form water dropper, with accompanying knife housed in a lacquer case rendered ensuite, all over a plain compartment 15 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 3 1/2in (40 x 9.5 x 8.8cm)