Lot 400

LUXURY JAPANESE BOX FROM THE EDO PERIOD

Japan, Edo period, circa 1800-1850. A very luxurious and high-quality lacquered wooden box, decorated using the maki-e technique (gold powder on a carefully lacquered base) and set in a very delicate bronze mount. Boxes ("bako") of various shapes and for various purposes have been part of Japanese culture since time immemorial, and many boxes have established names according to their primary use, e.g., suzuribako is used for writing utensils, kobako is usually used for incense or other fragrant essences, rjóshibako for carrying or storing documents, shikišibako for calligraphy paper, etc. Based on the quality of the workmanship and the family crest (mon or kamon, in the case of the presented box, it may be the mon of the Sakai family), it can be concluded that this is a luxurious piece made to order for a wealthy client. The scrolls in the design represent the beloved Japanese paulownia tree ("kiri").