163 - Suzuribako (writing box) made of lacquered wood, Japan, Edo period, 18th century

Suzuribako (writing box) made of lacquered wood, Japan, Edo period, 18th century A rectangular box with slightly rounded corners, decorated with gold and silver taka maki-e, hiramaki-e, kirikane, and nashiji on a brown lacquer background speckled with hirameji. The lid is adorned with two adjacent cloud-shaped inlays. The first features a plum tree in bloom; the second, a mountainous landscape enlivened by pavilions, pine trees, bamboo, and plum trees rendered in shades of gold and silver. The rim is outlined with a geometric frieze featuring a swastika motif known as sayagata. The top features a design of winding rivers, chrysanthemums, and foliage rendered in gold maki-e on a nashiji background, while the central compartment houses a black stone inkstone (suzuri), framed by a gold-lacquered mount. Engraved beneath the suzuri is the inscription: 御硯屋 禁裏様 中村弥右衛門—“suzuri workshop—for the Imperial Court—Nakamura Yaemon.” The suiteki is made of gilded copper alloy with an uchidashi decoration of a pine tree. The interior and underside are finished in nashiji lacquer. 20 x 18.5 cm Signs of wear, damage to the corners, lacquer loss, and damage to the edge of the suzuri.