Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Black and Gold Lacquer Suzuribako 'Writing Set'

About the Item

Black and gold lacquer suzuribako (writing set) in takamaki-e on a nashi-ji background representing two tigers near rocks, bamboos and plum blossoms in a night landscape. Inside of the lid with a lake landscape. The interior of the suzuribako is composed with an inkstone, topped by a copper water bucket in the shape of a chrysanthemum on the left side, with a brush and a small knife. It includes in the right part a storage compartment. Inscription under the inkstone "Inkstone made by Nakamura Chobe". Although the tiger is not native to Japan, it has a high symbolic. The figure of courage was introduced by Buddhism from China. According to the Chinese tradition, the tiger is from one of the stars of the Great Bear. It would be able to control the wind and its roar would be a metaphor for thunder. In art, the tiger is sometimes represented in a bamboo grove, as it is the case on our suzuribako. There are several explanations for the combination. Bamboo is not wind resistant, si it is a naturel refuge for the animal. Another explanation is that the bamboo is agitated by the wind and represents sins. To be able to penetrate it and thus ward off evil, one must have the strength of a tiger. Having the “tiger courage” is therefore an exemplary quality, especially for samurais. Inkstone made by Nakamura Chobe Japan – Edo period (1603-1868), Mid-18th Century Measures: Height: 1.97 in. (5 cm) – width: 8.58 in. (21.8 cm) – depth: 9.53 in. (24.2 cm).
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.97 in (5 cm)Width: 8.59 in (21.8 cm)Depth: 9.53 in (24.2 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1603-1868
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 2022-10721stDibs: LU8311233526122

More From This Seller

View All
Japanese suzuribako lacquered box peony river
Located in PARIS, FR
Suzuribako box (empty) in black lacquer. Gold maki-e decoration of a river bordered by peonies, one with red highlights. The edges of the lid are in gold lacquer. Nashi-ji interior.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer Kushibako
Located in PARIS, FR
Kushibako (comb box) in black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of arrows and my in the shape of three assembled commas " mitsudomoe " (Okabe; Itakura; Kuki; Hijikata; Arima famil...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer Kaioke Boxes 'Hokaibako'
Located in PARIS, FR
Two big eight-sided kaioke boxes in black lacquer, decorated with mon and maple leaves in golden lacquer. These are usually octagonal boxes containing the painted shells used in ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Japanese Black and Gold Lacquer Sageju-Bako - Picnic Box
Located in PARIS, FR
Black and gold lacquer sageju-bako (picnic box) decorated with floral motifs in hiramaki-e. It includes a sake bottle, a four-compartment box with nashi-ji lacquer inside, a simple tray and a hollow tray. At the top, there is a bronze handle for transport. The sageju-bako is divided into four superimposed boxes for food on the left; a simple tray, a sake bottle and a hollow tray on the right. They are in the shape of a plum blossom. On the top, on both sides a phoenix. The phoenix (hôo) has an imperial and solar symbolism. This auspicious bird also embodies virtues taken from the teachings of Confucius (such as goodness, righteousness and wisdom). The left boxes are patterned with turtles, plum tree, bamboo, cherry blossoms, water plantains near rivers. The two trays on the right have a shell and seaweed pattern. The sake bottle is decorated with a plum tree and bamboo. On the sides, calabash decoration. Borders in saya (or sayagata) pattern, composed of Chinese swastikas...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Inro in black and gold lacquer with a proeminent chrysantemum flower motive
Located in PARIS, FR
Two compartments inrô in black lacquer, hira maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay on a hirameiji background, decorated with a bouquet of chrysanthemums in a small purse, a hoe on the other side, and a fluttering butterfly which can be found on both sides. The interior is in hirameiji lacquer. The ojime is a drum made out of black lacquer and ivory with a mother-of-pearl inlay. The Manjû netsuke...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese pair of kaioke boxes or Hokkaibako made of black and gold lacquer
Located in PARIS, FR
Two large eight-sided kaioke boxes in black lacquer, decorated with mon and maple leaves in golden lacquer. These are usually octagonal boxes containing the painted shells used in ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Gold

You May Also Like

Black and Gold Lacquer Japanese Suzuribako Box
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Japanese black and gold lacquer Suzuribako box with firefly and plum blossom design.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Rare Japanese Lacquer Writing Box Suzuribako Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Lacquer writing box Suzuribako Meiji Period (1868-1912), likely circa late 19th century. This suzuribako is one of the most unusual boxe...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako 硯箱 'Writing Box' by Hattori Toshio 服部俊夫 '1943'
By Hattori Toshio (Shunsho)
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A small Japanese black and gold lacquer suzuribako (writing box) with cartwheels in water, by the artist Hattori Toshio (1943). Of rectangular form with rounded corners, bearing a lustrous rôiro ground throughout, the exterior sides of the box and exterior of the cover finely decorated in gold and little silver takamaki-e with cartwheels flowing in a dynamically executed body of water with many swirls and gushes as well as scattered dew drops, the interior tray fitted with a rectangular ink stone and silver suiteki (waterdropper). The underside signed ‘Toshi’. With the original wooden tomobako with hakogaki reading Namikuruma makie suzuribako (The writing box set, with a design of wheels in water), as well as a leaflet written in Japanese with the artist’s biography up to 1987. Hattori Toshio (b. 1943), art name Hattori Shunsho, was first selected for the Nitten exhibition in Showa 38 (1963). Since then, he has exhibited more than twenty times at the Nitten and other exhibitions, winning numerous prestigious awards. In 1995, he had an audience with Pope John Paul II and presented the Pope with a lacquer reading table. In 2004, he created the shelves for the guest room of the Kyoto State Guest House of the Government of Japan. He is a member of the Kyoto Crafts Artists Association, the Kyoto Lacquer...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Writing Box, Suzuribako, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An exceptionally fine and unusual Japanese lacquer writing implements box, suzuribako, in the form of a zither, koto, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. With a modern wood storage box,...
Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold, Silver, Copper

Japanese Lacquer Maki-E Tiered Suzuribako and Ryoshibako
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese roiro lacquer scholar combo box with an upper tier of inkstone box (Suzuribako) and a lower document box (Ryoshibako) circa 1910-30s (end of Meiji to Showa period). The high glossy box was beautifully decorated with an image of the famously eccentric Buddhist monks Hanshan and Shide (known in Japan as Kanzan and Jittoku). Often as a pair, they have been a popular motif in Japanese Zen painting...
Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Stone, Metal

Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Ink Stone Box Suzuribako
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese writing box with ink stone (known as Suzuribako) with exquisite maki-e decoration circa late Meiji to early Taisho period (1890s-1930s)...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Recently Viewed

View All