161 - A RARE AND VERY LARGE (78 CM) LACQUER BOX IN THE FORM OF A YAKATABUNE (PLEASURE BOAT)

A RARE AND VERY LARGE (78 CM) LACQUER BOX IN THE FORM OF A YAKATABUNE (PLEASURE BOAT) Japan, 19th century, late Edo (1615-1868) to Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely constructed in the form of an elegant Japanese pleasure boat (yakatabune), the elongated hull with gracefully curving sides, a dramatically upswept prow, and a sharply pointed stern, lacquered in lustrous shades of reddish-brown and black with rich e-nashiji grounds and gold fundame borders. The extremities are reinforced with finely worked silver and metal mounts, some fittings ingeniously simulated in lacquer, while the lower hull is embellished with stylized waves in silver and gold. The central pavilion is supported on slender pillars and surmounted by a detachable, gently pitched roof with elegantly upturned eaves, its rich brown lacquer ground exquisitely decorated in gold and polychrome hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with scattered variations of the character kotobuki (longevity), some inlaid with gold foil. The remarkably elaborate construction allows the entire pavilion to be lifted from the hull, revealing a series of removable deck panels decorated with a finely executed gold diamond-lattice pattern, their removal exposing the spacious lacquered interior. Further embellished with delicate gold scrollwork, finely sprinkled nashiji, and silver kiku (chrysanthemum) fittings. LENGTH 78 cm Condition: Good condition with typical old wear, few small chips, the most notable to the stern of the boat, typical losses to gold foil, some of the gold foil loose. Light rubbing and discoloration to lacquer as is to be expected. Presenting finely. Auction comparison: Compare a related smaller lacquer box and cover in the form of a boat, dated Meiji period, 33.5 cm long, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2011, London, lot 95 (sold for GBP 5,250 or approx. EUR 9,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).