A LACQUERED SUZURIBAKO (BOX FOR WRITING UTENSILS) and cover


Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th centuryOf standard rectangular form with kabusebuta (overhanging lid), entirely covered in black lacquer, the exterior of the lid decorated in gold and hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirigane, and other techniques with a seaside scene with Mount Fuji in the background and sailing boats, waves, pines, and gulls in the foreground, the interior of the lid with a large silver-inlaid crescent moon with autumn plants including hagi (bush clover, Lespedeza bicolor), ominaeshi (valerian, Patrinia scabiosifolia) and chrysanthemum, all against a gold mura-nashiji ground which extends to the interior of the box, fitted with a partially gold-lacquered suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a rectangular silver suiteki (water-dropper); with a wood tomobako storage box inscribed inside Shu Meiji sanjurokunen chuto daijuichigatsu Kuwano Ishi (Fine quality; November 1903, Kuwano Ishi). 4.2cm x 21.5cm x 23.5cm (1 5/8in x 8½in x 9¼in). (6).