Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako Ex-Christie's

A large lacquer Ryoshibako (Paper box in Japanese) finely decorated with Maki-e circa 17th century early Edo period. The box is of an impressive size and was used to store paper documents. Both sides of the lid were elaborately decorated with maki-e and the edge was befitted with lead rim, an early practice before the silver rim became common later. The interior and base were finished in Nashiji. The night scene on top surface of the lid depicts flocks of chidoris flying in formation from a sea shore swaying with reeds under a full moon, using hiramaki-e in both gold and silver. Ribbons of clouds were achieved with different densities of gold powder. The underside, in contrast, shows a crescent moon in takamakie-e above the sea with ferns and reeds. Chidoris, the plovers, are symbolic in Japanese culture as "thousands of blessings" and longevity. The Namichidori, the pattern in which the chidori flies in the nami (wave) represents the eternal love and safety of couples and families. For detailed references on the historical background and the use of chidoris on lacquerware, see the reference below. This very lacquer box was featured for sale as lot 339 in Christie's London Sale Japanese Art...

An antique lacquered small box that was likely used to contain incense powder (it is called Kobako in Japanese), circa early to mid-19th century of the Edo...

A pair of Japanese lacquered lidded Hokai boxes with chased brass hardware and original ropes. Hokai boxes are traditionally used in Japan as the containers ...

A pair of Japanese lacquer lidded Hokai boxes with chased brass hardware and original ropes. Hokai boxes are traditionally used in Japan to store and carry s...

A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...

An antique jubako (stack boxes) with five tiers in an elongated octagon shape circa 19th century (end of Edo or beginning of Meiji period). jubako was traditionally used to store and...

Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of the fabric with black and gold sayagata pattern with togidashi maki-e technique. The saya (or sayagata) pattern is composed of Chinese swastikas...

A delightful and intricately decorated lacquer box for storing incense, kogo, in the form of a traditional farm house, Meiji period (1864 - 1912), late 19th century, Japan. The kogo, or small box for storing incense, takes the whimsical form of a traditional Japanese home, minka, with the removable high, thatched roof serving as the cover for the box. The exterior of the home has been painstakingly decorated in maki-e lacquer against a matte black lacquer ground. Traditional shoji doors, bamboo blinds...

Exquisitely detailed incense storage box in gold lacquer with silver and gold overlays of a folded screen with heron and willow design. Flowers and winding leaves on the sides.

A Japanese red burgundy, gold and black lacquer box with round corners and silk cloth interior lining, circa early-20th century, 1920s, Japan. Box was desi...

This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...

An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan. The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...