Marquetry Lacquer

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box to store document or small scroll painting) circa late 18th century of Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lid with rounded corners and recessed mid-edge and a lower box with two bronze medallion rings and tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e and a low takamaki-e on a mottled Mura-nashiji background. The motifs on the lid depict branches of Japanese pine with finely rendered needles on the lower part; on the upper part, it showcases fruited persimmon branches. Two different shades of gold fundame were used to contrast the design and augmented by scattered gold kirigane to highlight some of the leaves. The design continues and cascades down to all sides of the lid as well as the walls of the box. The two bronze medallions appear original to the box and the silk ties show significant fading from the age. This Fine fubako is signed on the lower wall "Kanshosai" in Kanji with a kao mark. All the trims were finished in gold fundame and the interiors a dense nashiji in gold. Kanshosai is the mark of the distinguished lacquer artist Lizuka Toyo I who also signed his work "Toyosai". He was active in the second half of the 18th century during Edo period, employed by Hachisuka Shigeyoshi (1738-1801), daimyo of Awa on Shikoku Island. Although most survived work bearing his marks are inros, he was also known to decorated trays and other larger objects...

A black lacquer tebako (hand box) with maki-e decoration and silver trim, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The surface of the lid features a Rinpa style maki-e paint depicting ...

A Japanese lacquered wood Naga Fubako (a long box used to store document or large scroll painting), circa 19th century Meiji period. The rectangular box features an unusually deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

Fubako letters-box from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912). Beautiful decorative Fubako letters box from the Japanese Imperial Meiji period, circa 1900. This box has been meticul...

19th century Japanese black and gold lacquer Suzuribako box with firefly and plum blossom design.

Tebako box with three compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of increasing size from the top. The decoration is in continuity. Persimmon has been cultivated in southern China for more than 2500 years and is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the 8th century. The veneer is a tree with very hard wood, similar to ebony. According to a legend, one specimen survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, close to the epicenter. It is therefore in Japan a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also the national fruit of the country. It is eaten as a traditional dish during New Year's Day celebrations. Tebako literally means "portable box...

A fine antique Japanese Meji Period lacquer box decorated with a fan and a stylized star shaped window in the maki-e technique. The fan at the top right corner, fully opened depictin...

A fine Japanese wood Hibachi with copper insert circa 1900-30s end of Meiji to Taisho Period. It can be used as a unique planter or to showcase a...

This is a good papier mâché, rectangular shaped black lacquered lidded box, hand enamelled and gilded, made in Japan during the 19th century, early Meiji period. This rectangular shaped papier mâché box has a well fitting hinged lid, with the box base and lid slightly domed. The box was probably originally made as a pocket box but could easily sit on a desk or dressing table as required. This is a very decorative box with finely hand painted scenes of three people, one holding a parasol, in a garden setting, with a pagoda type building, large gate...

A high quality, antique, Japanese black lacquer document box. It has an external design of gold maki e plum blossoms. In Japanese culture plum blossom symbolises the beginning of Spring, having its own festival, the Ume Matsuri, alongside the more famous cherry blossom festival...

A Japanese four-case inro with a stringed carved wood netsuke circa 19th century. The inro has a near square form with rounded corners, The surface is decorated with gold hiramaki-e ...

A fine Japanese miniature kodansu constructed from Kaki wood (Persimmon) circa 19th century, late Meiji period. With its expressive exotic wood grains and exposed tenon construction,...