417 - A small maki-e lacquer chest, decorated with "plum blossoms" A small chest (kodansu) decorated in maki-e with a plum-blossom design. The branches of plum, the first flower of the year, are rendered in gold and silver maki-e against a black lacquer ground, their twisting forms spreading across the doors and drawer fronts. The compact form, fitted with several small drawers, is of the type traditionally used for storing personal accessories or writing implements. L: 17cm W: 12cm H: 13.8cm Tomobako (artist-inscribed box) Japan, Meiji era