Japanese Zeni-Bako Box, Edo Period

A fine quality brass inlaid Campaign style traveling desk with a recessed brass handle engraved with the name of its owner, Anne Orten. The piece opens to reveal a velvet lined writi...

An extremely fine quality inlaid mahogany tea caddy of elegant small size, the top and front with elaborate crossbanding and circular fan inay, the front with further swag inlay, the...

An unusual Japanese Meiji period lidded incense burner or censer with reticulated ovoid body and cap, decorated with a cream background and traditionally garbed people in tones of oc...

A Japanese Meiji period iron mounted sea chest or table cabinet, the removable front cover opening to reveal an interior with 5 drawers of varying sizes. The piece is mounted with de...

An early Japanese lacquer Maki-e decorated kobako (small storage box) circa 18th century (Edo period). Based on its form and size, this kobako was possibly used as a Chabako to store the accoutrements for chado (tea ceremony). The lidded box is of rectangular form with bevel design on all edge that softens the appearance. The entire surface was densely covered with a background of nashiji. Elaborate Maki-e techniques were used on each side to showcase a distinct landscape or floral design within a cartouche panel. On the surface of the lid, a mountainous landscape rises from the edge of the water. The poetic composition is akin to a traditional ink scroll...

Small rectangular Japanese chest with gold lacquer decoration in the form of leaf tendrils. The chest is decorated with cut-out and ornamentally engraved fittings on the corners and ...

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box to store document or small scroll painting) circa late 18th century of Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lid with rounded corners and recessed mid-edge and a lower box with two bronze medallion rings and tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e and a low takamaki-e on a mottled Mura-nashiji background. The motifs on the lid depict branches of Japanese pine with finely rendered needles on the lower part; on the upper part, it showcases fruited persimmon branches. Two different shades of gold fundame were used to contrast the design and augmented by scattered gold kirigane to highlight some of the leaves. The design continues and cascades down to all sides of the lid as well as the walls of the box. The two bronze medallions appear original to the box and the silk ties show significant fading from the age. This Fine fubako is signed on the lower wall "Kanshosai" in Kanji with a kao mark. All the trims were finished in gold fundame and the interiors a dense nashiji in gold. Kanshosai is the mark of the distinguished lacquer artist Lizuka Toyo I who also signed his work "Toyosai". He was active in the second half of the 18th century during Edo period, employed by Hachisuka Shigeyoshi (1738-1801), daimyo of Awa on Shikoku Island. Although most survived work bearing his marks are inros, he was also known to decorated trays and other larger objects...

Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...