A LACQUERED BOX CONTAINING A SUPERB COLLECTION OF TWELVE FINE KOGAI Japan, 19th century The lacquered lidded box (possibly previously a suzuribako) of rectangular form and decorated in fine togidashi-e on the cover with three carps, two in silver and the smallest in red, among stylized plants. The box contains a fine collection of twelve kogai, executed in shibayama and with various decorations in hiramaki-e and takamaki-e. Some kogai with artist signatures, executed in lacquer painting or inlaid cartouches. SIZE 4.5 x 21.6 x 18.5 cm Condition: The box with some losses and touchups around the corners and edges, the kogai in excellent condition with only minimal wear and losses. Provenance: Collection of Philipp Hausler, an architect, councilor and professor who lived in Vienna and Germany. Thence by descent. A leather case, once used to store this fubako, bears a stamp reading “Philipp Hausler, Zivilarchitekt Z.V. Regierungsrat Professor” and accompanies this lot.