Momoyama Period, late 16th/early 17th century Embellished predominantly in gold hiramaki-e lacquer and inlaid with shell, the single-hinged door decorated on the front with a ho-o (phoenix) and a smaller bird standing on a rock among flowering peony and kikyo (Chinese bellflowers), three other birds in flight, the top surface with a pair of four-tusked elephants resting among tall stems of kikyo, plum blossoms and pine; the right side with a bird of prey about to attack one of two smaller birds, one perched on a maple tree; the left side with a pair of monkeys gripping trailing branches of wisteria; the back with meandering branches of clematis; the door opening downwards to reveal an interior panel decorated with meandering branches of kuzu (kudzu vine), and eleven drawers of four sizes decorated with assorted floral designs including camellia, fruiting orange tachibana and nogiku (wild chrysanthemums), all arranged horizontally in four rows and fitted with a gilt-copper chrysanthemum knop surrounding a central drawer fitted with a copper lock plate, all framed by narrow thin bands of gold lacquer zig-zag motifs, the sides with two copper-gilt carrying handles, the corners applied with gilt-copper fittings engraved with stylised cherry, the underside undecorated; with the original key. 64cm (25 1/8in) wide x 43.5cm (17 1/8in) high x 34cm (13½in) deep. (2).