Rare Japanese Lacquer Writing Box Suzuribako Meiji Period

A lacquered wood box with lid from Japan circa 19th century Meiji Period. The finely decorated box was used to store paper slips and small documents on the desk. It is overall finished with black lacquer (kuro) with sparse Mura-Nashiji effect outside and on the top surface of the lid, there are three Komainu, (sometimes known as Shishi or Japanese lions) frolicking and forming a circle in lively motion. Komainu are auspicious animals in Japanese cultures in both Shinto and Buddhism tradition. Originally from China, these animals symbolizes guardians to ward off evil spirits. Hiramaki-e was used in combination with carving and combing to render the lions with various surface textures. A gilt border with an slight angle was given to the lid and even the thin band is decorated with miniature floral scrolls. The interior of the box was finished in a dense nashiji. Underneath the lid, a cluster of peonies open lavishly by two gentle mounts. Takamaki-e (high relief) in both gold and silver were...

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...

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 writing box with ink stone (known as Suzuribako) with exquisite maki-e decoration circa late Meiji to early Taisho period (1890s-1930s)...

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

A fine Japanese small lacquer box for precious incense, kogo, Edo period, mid 19th century, Japan. The small box of gold lacquer and wonderfully dec...

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 fine and unusual Japanese lacquer box for incense accessories, kobako, featuring a tagasode (whose sleeves?) design, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The exquisite box of simple rectangular shape worked in maki-e lacquer, taka-maki-e, and raden, all against a lush ground of gold nashiji. Fitted with silver rims. The main decorative element of the box depicts a six panel folding screen, byobu, showing an interior scene with kimono strewn over a rack, a motif known as tagasode (whose sleeves), all in raised taka-maki-e lacquer and inlaid raden. The screen depicts an intimate room with tatami mats on the floor and sliding shoji doors in the background. The foreground depicts a large clothing...