Japanese lacquer tebako 手箱 (box for personal accessories) with book design

A lacquered 4-piece inrô with a covering design of fireflies (hotaru) flying over helms of grass and around a lantern (andon), shining attractively for the fireflies. Surrounded by rims embellished with a scrolling vine design (karakusa). Executed in golden hiramaki-e (low-relief lacquer design) and takamaki-e (high-relief lacquer design) with small red accents on the wings and kirigane, (cut and inlaid pieces of gold leaf) at the tails of the fireflies to accentuate the ‘light’ they exude. Set on a glossy black lacquer background. The compartmentalized interior coated with nashiji (sprinkled gold lacquer)finished with fundame rims (matt gold lacquer). Laced with purple silk cords, with a brown glass bead ojime, and 2-part manjû netsuke...

An exceptional, oblong lacquer 3-tiered storage box with cover, reminiscent of a bento box, by Hiroshi Hayashi (1967). Covered in shiny gold and black l...

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...

Uncommon ecru lacquer tea caddy (natsume) with a nice golden hiramaki-e (low-relief design) of cart wheels submerged in a wild swirling stream. The design...

Tebako box with three compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of increasing size from the top. The decoration is in continuity. Persimmon has been cultivated in southern China for more than 2500 years and is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the 8th century. The veneer is a tree with very hard wood, similar to ebony. According to a legend, one specimen survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, close to the epicenter. It is therefore in Japan a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also the national fruit of the country. It is eaten as a traditional dish during New Year's Day celebrations. Tebako literally means "portable box...

Tebako lacquer maki-e box embellished with gold decorations depicting a Buddhist temple surrounded by majestic Matsu pines. The interior and base are finished in nashiji lacquer. The...

Presentation Tebako box from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912). Beautiful decorative presentation Tebako box from the Japanese Imperial Meiji period, circa 1880. This box has been meticulously crafted in a squared cushioned shape in wood with kara coating Kobayashi red lacquer, gilding, black lacquer and inlaid decorations of abalone shell, Raden. Tebako literally means "portable box", it is a toilet box containing the objects necessary for washing and make-up, especially blush mirror...

Tebako box with two compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of ...