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

The Property of a Gentleman

A suzuribako [writing box] 

Edo period, 19^th century 

the rectangular suzuribako with overhanging cover and chamfered edge, decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, togidashi-e, gold and silver foil, heidatsu, kimpun and nashiji on a sabiji ground, with an elegant design of open and closed fans, the first depicting cherry blossom and willow behind a fence beside a stream, the interior of the cover with richly decorated chrysanthemums among rockwork and a trickling stream, the interior fitted with an ink slate decorated overall in fundame, the silver water dropper (suiteki) decorated in gold lacquer and polished silver with chrysanthemums, inset in a frame decorated in mura-nashiji, with a set of brushes, paper pricker and a knife, mounted in silver 

20 cm., 7¾ in. wide