Fine Japanese Edo (mid 19thC) Ryukyu Islands (today Okinawa Prefecture) red & gold lacquer suzuribako (writing box) and ryoshibako (document box), decorated predominantly in gold hiramaki-e and gold togidashi maki-e with a Chinese-inspired winter landscape on a glossy red-lacquered ground.The decoration on the bevelled-edged overlapping cover (kabusebuta) of the suzuribako includes stalks of camellia and plum growing beside a rushing stream on the lower right corner, tall craggy mountains partly obscured by clouds in the upper left corner, while the inside of the lid is embellished with other wild flowers. The interior of the box has a fitted removable ita (baseboard) containing the ink-grinding stone (suzuri) and a silvered-metal water-dropper (suiteki) in the form of a lobed kettle.The exterior of the inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid of the ryoshibako is similarly decorated with a matching Chinese landscape design extending over the sides of the box, while the inside of the lid is lacquered with the same wild flowers. Comes in a wooden storage box for the suzuribako attached with an inscribed paper label. The suzuribako measures 26.1cm x 23.7cm x 5cm high (10�in x 9 5/16in x 2in high), the ryoshibako 46.5cm x 35.2cm x 15.2cm tall (18�in x 13�in x 6in tall).Very good condition.Ryukyuan lacquerware is one of the chief artistic products of the Ryukyu Islands (today Okinawa Prefecture of Japan) and represents a form and style of lacquerware that is distinct from other Japanese cultures. Though distinct in its own ways, it�s strongly influenced by Chinees, Japanese and Southeast Asian styles, and has a tendency towards red lacquer which is rather less common in the rest of Japan. Height is 15.2cm (6.0inches)
Width is 46.5cm (18.3inches)
Depth is 35.2cm (13.9inches)