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A suzuribako [writing box] in Koetsu style — Edo period, 19th century

A suzuribako [writing box] in Koetsu style

Edo period, 19th century

An ornate rectangular writing box in Koetsu style from the Edo period featuring elaborate lacquer decoration. The box is decorated with a fishing boat scene in precious materials including gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, and patinated lead, with intricate chrysanthemum and bamboo designs throughout.

Medium
the rectangular writing box with overhanging cover and chamfered edge, decorated in gold, silver and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, nashiji and inlaid in patinated lead and mother-of-pearl, with a fishing boat beneath reeds, the details finely embellished, the interior of the cover with chrysanthemums entwined amongst a bamboo fence, the inner tray supporting a slate ink stone decorated in gold fundame, the design of the interior of the cover continuing on the base with further chrysanthemums among bamboo, all on a sparse nashiji ground, the silver water dropper (suiteki) finely carved and chased with petals and gold details, the base with sparse nashiji
Spotted At
Auction House · Sotheby's

🔨 Auction Lot

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

October 26, 2021

Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000

Lot 40

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About this work

A suzuribako [writing box] in Koetsu style, Edo period, 19th century

An ornate rectangular writing box in Koetsu style from the Edo period featuring elaborate lacquer decoration. The box is decorated with a fishing boat scene in precious materials including gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, and patinated lead, with intricate chrysanthemum and bamboo designs throughout.

Medium
the rectangular writing box with overhanging cover and chamfered edge, decorated in gold, silver and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, nashiji and inlaid in patinated lead and mother-of-pearl, with a fishing boat beneath reeds, the details finely embellished, the interior of the cover with chrysanthemums entwined amongst a bamboo fence, the inner tray supporting a slate ink stone decorated in gold fundame, the design of the interior of the cover continuing on the base with further chrysanthemums among bamboo, all on a sparse nashiji ground, the silver water dropper (suiteki) finely carved and chased with petals and gold details, the base with sparse nashiji
Seen at
Sotheby's, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris

Related themes

Lacquerware, Suzuribako, 19th Century, Japanese Art, Decorative Arts, Gold Hiramaki-E, Writing Box, Edo Period, Mother-Of-Pearl, Koetsu Style