1120 - Japanese letter/document box (Fubako) with gold maki-e on black urushi lacquer, probably late Edo–Meiji (19th century)

Japanese letter/document box (Fubako) with gold maki-e on black urushi lacquer, probably late Edo–Meiji (19th century) Wooden box with a black urushi lacquer finish. On the front, a round hole in the central, curving panel; based on comparative typology, this was likely originally intended to accommodate or secure a clasp or cord (himo). All around the exterior, gold maki-e decoration featuring stylized pine needles and round family crest motifs (kamon), likely maru-ni tachibana. Rectangular body with rounded edges and an overlapping lid; a curved handle cutout on both the front and back. Inside, gold-colored, speckled maki-e (hirame-style) on a reddish-brown ground, with regularly spaced, circular-looking fields (tortoiseshell/“bekkō”-like appearance). Exterior shows distinct signs of wear, including scratches and scuffs, abrasion in the gold decoration, and dents on the edges and corners; localized loss of lacquer, including a pronounced vertical area of damage on the body exposing the base layer. Inside, there are also scratches and scuffs, as well as isolated areas of loss; in addition, small chips and flaking are visible on the metal edges. Dimensions: approx. 9 × 42 × 12.4 cm. Condition: II–III