SHOGAKU: A SUPERB LACQUER SUZURIBAKO DEPICTING AN AUTUMNAL SCENE WITH FALCON AND SPARROWS By Shogaku, signed Shogaku with seal Shogaku Japan, 19th century Of rounded rectangular form with silver rims, bearing a lustrous chestnut-red ground, the flush-fitting cover superbly decorated in gold and colored takamaki-e with kirikane and aogai inlay to depict a falcon perched on a cragged rocky outpost with leafy floral blossoms above a meandering stream, continuing over to the sides of the box. The interior of the cover similarly decorated and with red hiramaki-e and e-nashiji to depict two sparrows flying amid swirling clouds under a blood-red moon. The baseboard with gnarled branches bearing finely veined leaves and chestnuts with roughly textured shells, some of which have fallen, fitted with a rectangular inkstone (suzuri) and a silver waterdropper (suiteki) in the form of a teakettle, and signed SHOGAKU with a seal Shogaku. SIZE 6.5 x 27.3 x 23.2 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: An important Austrian private collection, acquired during the first half of the 20th century, and thence by descent within the same family. Austrian private collection, acquired from the above. Auction comparison: Compare a related suzuribako of similar quality and depicting an autumnal scene with falcon, sold at Christie`s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 September 2007, New York, lot 238 ( sold for 18,750 USD ).