A suzuribako [writing box] | Edo period, 18th - 19th century

A suzuribako [writing box] 

Edo period, 18^th - 19^th century 

the rounded rectangular writing box with overhanging cover, decorated in iroe-e hiramaki-e and takamaki-e, seigaiha, and inlaid in gold and silver on a sparse nashiji ground, with various kogai, kozuka, sukashi tsuba, and a pair of menuki, the interior of the cover decorated in gold hiramaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl on a mura-nashiji ground with peacock feathers, the base fitted with slate ink stone and copper-gilt water dropper (suiteki) in the form of a ho-o bird among plum and maple leaves.

22 cm., 8¾ in. wide