Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Exceptional Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako Edo Period with Provenance Note

$20,000List Price

About the Item

An exceptional Japanese suzuribako (writing box) in maki-e decoration circa 18th century Edo period. This is one of the most spectacular pieces of Japanese lacquer art offered by our gallery. The decorative theme is Gion Matsuri Festival that annually takes place in Kyoto from July 17th to 24th. It is known for the Yamanbako Junko parade with lavished decorated floats. The very first and also the most spiritually important one is called Naginata Boko, the Long Sword Float. It is characterized by a very tall naginata halberd sword on the top of its central pole. The sword was attributed to the legendary swordsmith Sanjo Munechika in the 10th century and it is believed to possess mystical power to ward off the evil, such as the plagues (as the festival commenced originally), and also to protect and to heal. It is the float where the chosen ceremonial Chigo, the celestial child, ride in the front. This Naginata float with Chigo is the subject depicted in a tour-de-force manner on the lid. The details were astonishingly superb, reflecting a masterful workmanship, and more evidently, a will to bring out the best possible result within the limit of the techniques. Using Takamaki-e to outline the design that appears to jump out of the Nuri background, every micro-space was painstakingly decorated often with Fine reliefs. From the surface panel and the hanging tapestry of the float, to the textured drapery down the pole, to the robes of the Chigo and even his expression, nothing was overlooked. The Vermillion color was used ever so effectively to highlight a few places such as the umbrella, the pole fabric and the border of the drapery, rendering a regal and nearly somber sense to the festivity. Hiramaki-e and Kirigane gold foil inlays were used throughout as well, often on top of the Takamaki-e. The artist chose black as a background and he only decorated sparsely with clouds using Takamaki-e, Hiramakie (high and low relief) in a masterful contrast with Togidashi, creating a dimensional and mythical canvas for the float. The festival continues to the interior. On the back of the lid, two samurai like men on foot Stand under a banner. They were likely spectators or members of the float entourage. They have on full suits of armor with sword at their waist. One holds a fan and the other likely a scroll, and both don conical hats. The detailed workmanship is again at play here. One can count the pieces of their armor scales and the stripes of their sandal ties. Most peculiarly, they both bear a facial expression that is hard for the viewers to interpret, somewhat somber and dignified, to intimidate or to evoke respect, it is hard to say. The decoration then continues on to the interior base, where a partial view of banner and another pavilion-like float reveal through the cloud made in gold sparkled Togidashi. There are separate compartments that hold the ink stone and the silver suiteki water dropper in the shape of a partially open scroll surrounded by three blooms. The inkstone bears a mark on the back. The bottom of the suzuribako is Nuri sparsely sprinkled with gold power and retains an old collecting paper sticker. The rim of the lid is lined with a very thin silver metal. Accompany this stunning piece are two handwritten notes of certain age. One is the study of the subject which appears now somewhat imprecise. The other paper bears an interesting note of the provenance, claiming that the piece was gifted to General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), who then presented to his aid Colonel Courtney Whitney (1897-1969), a lawyer and US Army commander during World War II who later served as a senior official during the US occupation of Japan (1945-1951). He then presented to the others who later sold it. We do not have the means to investigate or sustain this acclaim. It is possible considering the link of the Japan of the General and the Colonel.

Dimensions:
Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
Style:
Japonisme (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Lacquer,Silver,Stone
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
18th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Very fine condition with minimal wear such as the base due to contact, as shown.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU945022712502

Japanese Lacquer Box, Kogo, Tale of Genji, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan

$2,300

H 2 in W 3 in D 3 in

Japanese Lacquer Box, Kogo, Tale of Genji, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

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...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Pewter

Japanese Lacquer Kogo 'Incense Box'

$4,900

H 4.25 in W 7.25 in D 1.75 in

Japanese Lacquer Kogo 'Incense Box'

Located in Hudson, NY

Late Edo (1614 - 1868) period incense storage box in stacked, double fan design. Fans have bamboo and plum design with a chrysanthemum crest. Silve...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Kobako in black and gold lacquer decorated of a pavillion by a lake

$5,948

H 1.97 in W 4.14 in D 5.32 in

Kobako in black and gold lacquer decorated of a pavillion by a lake

Located in PARIS, FR

Elegant rectangular kobako decorated in nashiji lacquer on a black ground. The lid features a delicate landscape scene depicting a pavilion—possibly a small castle—set beside a river...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Japan lake landscape kobako box lacquer - Edo

$4,164

H 2.6 in W 6.7 in D 8 in

Japan lake landscape kobako box lacquer - Edo

Located in PARIS, FR

Rectangular kobako box in takamaki-e and kirigane gold lacquer circled with pewter depicting a lake landscape. Inside and back of the box in nashi-ji lacquer. Japan – Edo period (16...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese golden kobako flowers Edo period 18th century

$5,948

H 0.79 in W 0.95 in D 2.49 in

Japanese golden kobako flowers Edo period 18th century

Located in PARIS, FR

Quadrangular kobako box decorated with flowers in gold and blue lacquer with aogai inlay. Lid and sides in fundame lacquer, underside and interio...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese Inro XIXth Century with 3 Lacquered Wood Boxes

$1,784

H 27.56 in W 24.81 in D 8.67 in

Japanese Inro XIXth Century with 3 Lacquered Wood Boxes

Located in Marseille, FR

19th Century Japanese inro with 3 lacquered wooden compartments, 63 x 70 x 22 mm in size. Weight 39.1 g. Additional information: Material: Lacquered ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese Edo Period Igarashi School Long Lacquer Box, Tanzaku-Bako

$12,500

H 3 in W 4.5 in D 19.5 in

Japanese Edo Period Igarashi School Long Lacquer Box, Tanzaku-Bako

Located in Austin, TX

A stunning Japanese Edo period lacquer tanzakubako, box for poem cards, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo Period, Japan. Attributed to the Igarashi School, this box is masterfully ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Japanese inro of the edo period adorned with a landscape houses near a lake

$6,543

H 2.6 in W 2.17 in D 0.79 in

Japanese inro of the edo period adorned with a landscape houses near a lake

Located in PARIS, FR

Inrō with four gold lacquer compartments, decorated with a lake landscape. Accompanied by a bronze ryusa manju. Small boxes formed of compartments that fit one on top of the other, i...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

Japanese Lacquer Smoking Box, Tabako Bon, Edo Period, 19th Century

$3,800

H 6.75 in W 9 in D 5.25 in

Japanese Lacquer Smoking Box, Tabako Bon, Edo Period, 19th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A very fine Japanese maki-e lacquer decorated tabako bon, or smoking box, late Edo Period, mid-19th century, Japan. The elegant smoking box of black lacquer decorated with a wonderful gold lacquer takamaki-e design of a gnarled and elegantly twisted plum tree with branches in full bloom. A border of golden cranes in flight to the top. The smoking box, called a tabako bon, is comprised of an open section at the top with inset with two cylindrical metal canisters...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Suzuribako or writing box made of nashiji lacquer and adorned with a landscape

$11,897

H 1.78 in W 7.88 in D 8.86 in

Suzuribako or writing box made of nashiji lacquer and adorned with a landscape

Located in PARIS, FR

Suzuribako, or writing box, of rectangular shape, decorated with an imposing architecture realized in hira maki-e lacquer, probably a palatial structure, situated beside a waterfall...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold Leaf

More From This Seller

View All

Japanese Inro by Koma Koryu Edo Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A four-case lacquered inro by Koma Koryu circa 19th century late Edo period. The inro features a pair of Chinese mandarin duck resting under a bundle of blooming irises on the pond. ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Japanese Inro by Shigehide Edo Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro with Inlays by Kajikawa

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese four-case lacquer inro by a member of Kajikawa family circa 19th century (late Edo to early Meiji period). It depicts a nocturnal scenery of a meandering stream surrounded by bush clovers, where a full moon is reflected on the water. It was masterfully decorated in gold and silver maki-e using a combination of techniques including takamakie, togidashi and kirigane as well as aogai (abalone shell) inlays. The stream was set between the slightly elevated banks, adding to this piece a already strong three-dimensional composition. The interior was decorated in gold nashiji. It was signed on the bottom "Kajikawa Zou" (made by Kajikawa and a pot seal centered with "Ei" in Kanji. In one of the compartment, there is a katakana mark, appears to be a name, possibly the owner. Kajikawa clan was one of the most famous lacquer artisanal family established in the 17th century. Many well known members over the generations produced lacquer art in a wide range of formats, but two third were signed only with the family name such as this one. It is therefore not possible to pinpoint the exact author of this piece. Provenance: This inro was purchased as lot 349 in Christie's New York sale Japanese...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Shell, Wood, Lacquer

Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Box from Ryukyu Island

Located in Atlanta, GA

A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro by Yutokusai

Located in Atlanta, GA

A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate design with three unfolded fans on the front and two on the back: each reveals a vignette landscape scenery, likely real places in Japan. Using a combination of hiramaki-e and slight takamaki-e, the artist deftly created the pictures with fine details, rendering the inro as a miniature artwork...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Fine Miniature Japanese Kodansu with Lacquer Inlays

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Japanese miniature kodansu constructed from Kaki wood (Persimmon) circa 19th century, late Meiji period. With its expressive exotic wood grains and exposed tenon construction,...

Category