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ID #SA1053162
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Striking Japanese Meiji/taisho (Early 20thc) Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Rooster & Drum Decoration
Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
sold SA1053162
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 #SA1053162
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Striking Japanese Meiji/taisho (Early 20thc) Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Rooster & Drum Decoration

1900 - 1920
Sold 14 March 2025 · Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
This “Striking Japanese Meiji/taisho (Early 20thc) Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Rooster & Drum Decoration” 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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Antique LacquerwareJapanese Wooden BoxMeiji Period Lacquerware Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Attractive Japanese Meiji/Taisho (early 20thC) lacquer rectangular writing box (suzuribako) decorated with gold, silver and red lacquer hiramaki-e on a black roiro lacquer ground, with a pair of chickens in a garden, one a large rooster with long tail feathers standing on a war drum decorated with scrolling clouds and stylised dragons. The inside of the box is in gold nashiji with a silver metal water dropper (suiteki) and an inkstone. The box measures 25.2 x 21.2 x 4.5cm and comes in its original tomobako wooden box.

Lovely original condition.

In Japanese lore, a chicken on a drum is a symbol of peace as a war drum – fallen into disuse – becomes a perch for a cockerel.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Lacquer Writing Box to the 1910s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
4.5cm (1.77")
Width
25.2cm (9.92")
Depth
21.2cm (8.35")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1053162
Dealers Internal Reference
AD607/24
Description
Attractive Japanese Meiji/Taisho (early 20thC) lacquer rectangular writing box (suzuribako) decorated with gold, silver and red lacquer hiramaki-e on a black roiro lacquer ground, with a pair of chickens in a garden, one a large rooster with long tail feathers standing on a war drum decorated with scrolling clouds and stylised dragons.
“
The inside of the box is in gold nashiji with a silver metal water dropper (suiteki) and an inkstone.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

The box measures 25.2 x 21.2 x 4.5cm and comes in its original tomobako wooden box.

Lovely original condition.

In Japanese lore, a chicken on a drum is a symbol of peace as a war drum – fallen into disuse – becomes a perch for a cockerel.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Lacquer Writing Box to the 1910s.

Height
4.5cm (1.77")
Width
25.2cm (9.92")
Depth
21.2cm (8.35")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1053162
Dealers Internal Ref
AD607/24
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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An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 8
Archive I An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Striking Japanese Meiji/taisho (Early 20thc) Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Rooster & Drum Decoration

Archive II An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View II
Archive III An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View III
Archive IV An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View IV
Archive V An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View V
Archive VI An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View VI
Archive VII An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View VII
Archive VIII An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone. View VIII
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
An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone.
Striking Japanese Meiji/Taisho (early 20thC) Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Rooster & Drum Decoration
Ref: SA1053162
An open Japanese lacquer writing box featuring a black exterior with gold rooster and drum motifs and a fitted red-gold nashiji interior with an ink stone.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBoxes
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleMeiji / Taisho
  • MaterialWood, Lacquer, Gold, Metal
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsRooster and drum, Maki-e gold decoration, Floral accents, Fitted interior compartments
  • SizeH 4.5 cm (2 in) x W 25.2 cm (10 in) x D 21.2 cm (8 in)

FAQs

A suzuribako is a traditional Japanese writing box used to house calligraphy implements, including an ink stone, water dropper, and ink sticks.

These pieces are typically crafted from wood coated with multiple layers of natural sap lacquer, often decorated using the maki-e technique where metallic powders like gold or silver are sprinkled onto the wet lacquer.

Authentic period pieces often feature hand-applied natural urushi lacquer, subtle signs of age such as fine surface wear or microscopic crazing, and traditional construction methods without modern adhesives.

An antique lacquer box serves as an excellent focal point when displayed closed on a low-profile coffee table, console, or bookshelf to highlight its decorative lid.

To preserve lacquer, keep the item away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and low humidity environments that can cause the wood substrate or lacquer to crack.
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