Japanese pair of kaioke boxes or Hokkaibako made of black and gold lacquer

Black and gold lacquer sageju-bako (picnic box) decorated with floral motifs in hiramaki-e. It includes a sake bottle, a four-compartment box with nashi-ji lacquer inside, a simple tray and a hollow tray. At the top, there is a bronze handle for transport. The sageju-bako is divided into four superimposed boxes for food on the left; a simple tray, a sake bottle and a hollow tray on the right. They are in the shape of a plum blossom. On the top, on both sides a phoenix. The phoenix (hôo) has an imperial and solar symbolism. This auspicious bird also embodies virtues taken from the teachings of Confucius (such as goodness, righteousness and wisdom). The left boxes are patterned with turtles, plum tree, bamboo, cherry blossoms, water plantains near rivers. The two trays on the right have a shell and seaweed pattern. The sake bottle is decorated with a plum tree and bamboo. On the sides, calabash decoration. Borders in saya (or sayagata) pattern, composed of Chinese swastikas...

Natsume in dark red lacquer, decorated with autumn leaves and cherry blossoms in hiramaki-e and nashiji. Interior in black lacquer. Maple leaves (Momiji) are celebrated in literature...

Japan, late Edo, two big octagonal covered shell game boxes resting on footed stands, with makie-e decorations depicting flowering vines on a black lacquer ground, They are still in ...

19th century unique pair of shell Inlaid black lacquer big Chinese tea caddies with Bail handles two sides ,each with hinged lid reversing to a mother-of-pearl inlaid decoration and enclosing a fitted pewter canister...