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A suzuribako [writing box] — Momoyama period, late 16th century

A suzuribako [writing box]

Momoyama period, late 16th century

This Momoyama period suzuribako (writing box) from the late 16th century features gold and black hiramaki-e decoration with mother-of-pearl inlay on a black ground. The interior contains a slate ink stone and bronze water dropper in the form of a folded bamboo leaf, representing the finest Japanese lacquerwork craftsmanship.

Medium
the square box with flush fitting cover and champhered edge, decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl on a black ground, with fundame rims, depicting a rare subject of a reel for spinning yarn, rolls of cloth to the sides, the interior with a slate ink stone and bronze water dropper (suiteki) in the form of a folded bamboo leaf
Spotted At
Auction House · Sotheby's

🔨 Auction Lot

Pursuit of an Ideal: Fine Japanese Works of Art

October 26, 2021

Estimate: $5,000 – $7,000

Lot 42

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About this work

A suzuribako [writing box], Momoyama period, late 16th century

This Momoyama period suzuribako (writing box) from the late 16th century features gold and black hiramaki-e decoration with mother-of-pearl inlay on a black ground. The interior contains a slate ink stone and bronze water dropper in the form of a folded bamboo leaf, representing the finest Japanese lacquerwork craftsmanship.

Medium
the square box with flush fitting cover and champhered edge, decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl on a black ground, with fundame rims, depicting a rare subject of a reel for spinning yarn, rolls of cloth to the sides, the interior with a slate ink stone and bronze water dropper (suiteki) in the form of a folded bamboo leaf
Seen at
Sotheby's, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris

Related themes

Functional Art, Momoyama period, Ornate, Japanese, Traditional, Decorative Arts, Gold leaf, Black, Mother-Of-Pearl, Still Life

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