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Japanese lacquer suzuri’bako 硯箱 (writing box) with ‘Rinpa School’-style design

$10,024.12
£7,503.30
€8,500
CA$13,796.04
A$15,377.13
CHF 8,067.85
MX$187,779.80
NOK 102,156.54
SEK 96,553.47
DKK 64,707.99

About the Item

Superb rectangular ‘Rinpa School’-style black lacquer suzuri’bako (writing box) with a slightly arched well-fitted overhanging cover with rounded corners. The lid with a design of a gosho’guruma (ox-drawn carriage for Heian-era nobles) featuring golden hiramaki-e (low-relief lacquer design) and takamaki-e (high-relief lacquer design), inlays of lead and shiny mother-of-pearl (raden). The design continues along the sides. The reverse of the lid decorated with two large curving pine trees (matsu) executed in the same way, but also with intricate dots of tiny pieces of inlaid blue mother-of-pearl along the golden trunk. The interior shaped to hold various scholar’s accessories, including a partially gold lacquered inkstone (suzuri) and a bronze waterdropper (suiteki) shaped like a mythical minogame. The interior inscribed ‘Hokkyô Kôrin zô’ (Made by Hokkyô Kôrin). Referring to the design being in style of the master Ogata Kôrin, but the actual lacquer artist is unknown. It is a homage to Kôrin by an artist that followed the school of Rinpa. Including black lacquer wooden tomobako (tomobako). The Rinpa School was a key part of the Edo period revival of indigenous Japanese artistic interests described by the term yamato-e. Paintings, textiles, ceramics, and lacquerwares were decorated by Rinpa artists with vibrant colours applied in a highly decorative and patterned manner. Favoured themes, which often contained evocative references to nature and the seasons, were drawn from Japanese literature, notably The Tale of Genji, The Tales of Ise, and Heian-period poems composed by courtiers. (From the MET museum). When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity. Price including insured shipping.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.09 in (5.3 cm)Width: 8.08 in (20.5 cm)Depth: 8.86 in (22.5 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late Edo period/Early Meiji period
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. In a very good original condition with minimal signs of wear conform age. Please take a close look of a minimal chip left of ink stone holder, and along a rim of the inkstone. For a clear condition reference, please look at the photos as well.
  • Seller Location:
    Amsterdam, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: B22781stDibs: LU7165235407482

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