Large Japanese Lacquer Document Box, Ryoshibako, Edo/Meiji period, Japan

A large and boldly decorated Japanese lacquer document box, ryoshibako, Showa Period, circa 1960, Japan. The large rectangular box for s...

A spectacular Japanese maki-e lacquer lidded box, possibly a writing box, suzuribako, decorated with images of folding fans, ogi, Edo Period, earl...

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

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...

A fine and elegant Japanese lacquer box for writing implements or stationery, suzuribako, with an image of a Shinto shrine, Edo Period, mid-19th century, circa 1840, Japan. The exqu...

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,...

A large Japanese lacquer box with elaborate Maki-e design from Meiji period, (mid-late 19th century). The generous size of the box was reser...

An antique black lacquer document box with an exquisitely detailed, finely wrought design from The Tale of the Genji depicted in gold maki e across the lid. Internally, the box is de...

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...

A black lacquer tebako (hand box) with maki-e decoration and silver trim, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The surface of the lid features a Rinpa style maki-e paint depicting ...

A Japanese lacquer water ewer without handle (known as hazo in Japanese) that was used to carry water, traditionally together with a large basin (known as tsunodarai) for domestic us...

Precious and rare small kazaridana lacquered on all sides with two drawers and three panels decorated with fish, landscapes and birds. The removable panel reveals a locker with a sma...