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Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thc) Matching Ryuku Red/gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)
Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
sold SA1098009
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021
Browse dealers 35 items
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Id #SA1098009
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Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thc) Matching Ryuku Red/gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)

19th century
Sold 7 December 2024 · Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
This “Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thc) Matching Ryuku Red/gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Asian LacquerwareEdo Period BoxGold Lacquer Box Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Rare Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thC) matching Ryuku (Ryuku Islands, Okinawa prefecture) red/gold lacquer writing box (Suzuribako) and document box (Ryoshibako), both decorated predominantly in gold hiramaki-e and gold togidashi maki-e with a Chinese-inspired winter landscape on a glossy red-lacquered ground. On the bevelled-edged kabusebuta (overlapping cover) of the suzuribako are 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, the inside of the lid embellished with other wild flowers. The interior of the box is fitted with a removable ita (baseboard) containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a silvered-metal suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a lobed kettle.

The exterior of the inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid of the ryoshibako is similarly decorated (to the suzuribako) with a matching Chinese landscape design extending over the sides of the box, the inside of the lid lacquered with the same wild flowers. The suzuribako jhas wood storage box (tomobako) with an attached inscribed paper label. The suzuribako measures 5cm x 26.1cm x 23.7cm (2in x 10¼in x 9 5/16in); the ryoshibako 15.2cm x 46.5cm x 35.2cm (6in x 18¼in x 13¾in).

Excellent original condition.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Lacquer Writing Box to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
26.1cm (10.28")
Depth
23.7cm (9.33")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1098009
Dealers Internal Reference
AD657/24
Description
Rare Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thC) matching Ryuku (Ryuku Islands, Okinawa prefecture) red/gold lacquer writing box (Suzuribako) and document box (Ryoshibako), both decorated predominantly in gold hiramaki-e and gold togidashi maki-e with a Chinese-inspired winter landscape on a glossy red-lacquered ground. On the bevelled-edged kabusebuta (overlapping cover) of the suzuribako are 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, the inside of the lid embellished with other wild flowers.
“
The interior of the box is fitted with a removable ita (baseboard) containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a silvered-metal suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a lobed kettle.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
fig 1. A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs.
fig 1. Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thc) Matching Ryuku Red/gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)

The exterior of the inrobuta (flush-fitting) lid of the ryoshibako is similarly decorated (to the suzuribako) with a matching Chinese landscape design extending over the sides of the box, the inside of the lid lacquered with the same wild flowers. The suzuribako jhas wood storage box (tomobako) with an attached inscribed paper label. The suzuribako measures 5cm x 26.1cm x 23.7cm (2in x 10¼in x 9 5/16in); the ryoshibako 15.2cm x 46.5cm x 35.2cm (6in x 18¼in x 13¾in).

Excellent original condition.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Lacquer Writing Box to the 19th Century.

Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
26.1cm (10.28")
Depth
23.7cm (9.33")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1098009
Dealers Internal Ref
AD657/24
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art Profile Page

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A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 10
Archive I A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thc) Matching Ryuku Red/gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)

Archive II A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View II
Archive III A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View III
Archive IV A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View IV
Archive V A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View V
Archive VI A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View VI
Archive VII A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View VII
Archive VIII A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View VIII
Archive IX A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View IX
Archive X A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Telephone 07975 614592
Location
Bath
Somerset
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/antikdragon
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 35
Items Sold 783
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Verified Since Oct 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/antikdragon
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
35
Sold
783
A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs.
Striking Japanese Edo or Meiji (19thC) Matching Ryuku Red/Gold Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Document Box (Ryoshibako)
Ref: SA1098009
A matching pair of rectangular red and gold lacquer Japanese writing and document boxes featuring intricate landscape motifs.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Traditional
  • Material[Wood, Urushi lacquer, Gold powder]
  • ColourRed and Gold
  • MotifsLandscape scenery, Floral motifs, Gold hiramaki-e
  • SizeH 5 cm (2 in) x W 26.1 cm (10 in) x D 23.7 cm (9 in)

FAQs

A suzuribako is a traditional Japanese writing box designed to house calligraphy tools such as an inkstone, water dropper, and ink sticks, facilitating traditional brush writing.

These boxes are constructed from wood coated with multiple layers of sap from the lacquer tree, often decorated with gold or silver dust using the maki-e technique.

Authenticity is assessed by examining the wood substrate shrinkage, wear patterns on the lacquer surface, the fineness of the metallic powder application, and traditional joinery methods.

Such decorative objects function well as focal points on sideboards, coffee tables, or mantelpieces, adding rich colour and historical texture to contemporary or eclectic spaces.

Lacquer pieces should be kept away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity fluctuations, and heat sources to prevent the wood from warping and the lacquer from cracking.
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