152 - A FINE LACQUER ‘RED AUTUMN MOON' SUZURIBAKO (WRITING BOX)

A FINE LACQUER ‘RED AUTUMN MOON' SUZURIBAKO (WRITING BOX) Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of rectangular form, bearing a lustrous roiro ground exquisitely decorated in gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and takamaki-e. The kabusebuta (overhanging) cover depicts a poetic autumn landscape beneath a large vermilion moon rising above the horizon, with field chrysanthemums and sasa-rindo (Japanese gentians) growing amid gently swaying grasses and delicate flowering plants. The slender stems and finely detailed foliage extend gracefully across the lower edge of the composition, creating a harmonious contrast with the expansive black lacquer ground. The interior is finished throughout in richly sprinkled cloud-form nashiji with gold fundame rims, and fitted with a removable writing tray and ita (baseboard), housing the original writing implements comprising a suzuri (inkstone) and copper suiteki (water dropper). SIZE 3.8 x 23.1 x 21.1 cm Provenance: From the collection of Usa Kimiyasu, according to the inscription on the tomobako. Usa Kimiyasu served as daiguji (chief priest) of Usa Jingu Shrine during the 18th century and was a disciple of Tanigawa Kotosuga (1709-1776), the eminent Edo-period scholar of kokugaku (National Learning) and compiler of the pioneering Japanese dictionary Wakun no Shiori. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, minute losses to the lacquer, and some faint staining. A fine hairline crack to the interior of the cover, visible only from the inside, and minor craquelure to the interior corners. Presenting well. With an inscribed wood tomobako (storage box) with an old paper label inscribed Tsuki no de maki-e suzuribako, 月ノ出蒔絵硯箱, [Moonrise maki-e writing box]. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related lacquer suzuribako with a red lacquer moon and blossoming hagi, dated 19 th century, 6 x 25.6 x 24.2 cm, at Lempertz, Japan II - Armour, Netsuke, Inro, Sagemono incl. The Papp Collection, 7 December 2018, Cologne, lot 144 (sold for EUR 4,500 or approx. EUR 5,800 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).