This assortment of cosmetic brushes along with the small container was originally part of a large cosmetic set which would have been commissioned for the a wealthy Japanese bridal trousseaux. Many layers of the rich black roiro-nuri lacquer was applied and polished to achieve the deep lusterious tone. The brushes are accented with a 2 and 3 tone golden floral motif. None of the brushes show any signs of use...

Rectangular Japanese lidded box with superbly crafted gold nashiji maki-e lacquer having wonderful raised gold birds. The designs on the top continue onto all 4 sides and the attention to details are really amazing. Dates Late Edo to Early Meiji. Condition is excellent as this came from a private collection. Measures: 3" long, 2.5" wide, 2" high

Japanese writing brush in ornate case, case is made of copper with black lacquer and inlaid all over in an ornate pattern with tiny pieces of gold and shell, design of chrysanthemum on hinged ink well cover, 2 sided brush hidden in stem, large shell inlaid cartouch on bottom, beautiful and delicate.

Size: 6 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide

Antique Japanese inro, makie designs of phoenix (ho-o bird) on black lacquer. These large inro are sometimes referred to as sumo wrestler's inro, written "Kahei nuri". The last letter (kao like) is probably "nuri" which means painted or coated with. To roughly quote the Wrangham Index of Inro Artists – according to Soken Kisho, Kahei was a mysterious makie artist that lived in Kyoto during the 18th century. He was prominent enough to have his work called Kahei–nuri, after his name...

Urushi sakazuki (sake cup) made of wood and painted with black urushi. It has hand-painted sculp with red urushi which is for a charm against evil spirits and used in a temple or a shrine. It is from Akita prefecture in Tohoku. Late Edo period (The first half of the 19th century). In good condition. H:3.5cm, Diameter:10.3cm

Mid Meiji black lacquer gold maki-e borders document box. Features three raised gold designs with very fine details and Japanese characters. The has a gold sprinkled nashiji interior. In excellent condition, it measures: Length 10-1/8" x Width 3-3/4" x Height 2-1/8". Circa 1890. More photos available upon request.

Kobako in the rock shape in gold lacquer fundame. The interior and underside of the kobako are in nashi-ji lacquer. The cover is decorated in hiramaki-e with a mountainous landscape on a gold background. A river crosses the mountains, bordered by pines, rocks and thatched cottages. Leaves and flowers enhanced with red adorn the sides.

Kobakos (“little boxes”) are often adorned with harmonious decors and sceneries inspired by Japanese fauna and flora...

Eight lobed inlayed Japanese lacquered dish. Each lobe is decorated in makie, the flora and fauna of the four seasons with archaic designs set in between. The central area of the dish is depicting a female figure holding a lotus with a child attendant holding a bouquet of lotuses. The bottom is crafted in the nashiji style with a signature set in a medallion motif reading: Kaneko Zo, or Produced by Kaneko. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8.25" Height 1.5"

An antique Fubako, letter box, of a rarely seen design with a black ground having a flowing gold sprinkled pattern featuring wheel and wind/water designs in relief. There is also a lovely sprinkled design to the interior. The exterior bottom, which is covered when the box is closed, has the wheel designs and is very bright showing very little if any wear. Still retaining its original silk tasseled roping, this box is in superb condition...

Large mingei negoro tray. Edo period. Made of a rought piece of sugi (japanese cedar). The inner part has been lacquered with a fine negoro. The borders, following the natural lines of the wood, have been sculpted in a very unusual and interesting form. 34 x 30 x 7 cm.

Nagoro banana leaf tray lacquer over wood. The black lacquer shines through the red to reveal the ribs and veins of the leaf. In the literati tradition, banana leaves were used by scholar recluses as paper to write calligraphy. Later, this motif was incorporated into other forms of art making the image one of the symbols of the literati aesthetics.

Date: Tiasho circa 1920

Dimensions: 16" x 6" X 3/4"

Black and gold lacquer sageju-baco (picnic box) decorated with floral motifs in hiramaki-e. It includes a sake bottle, a four-compartment box with nashi-ji lacquer inside, a simple tray and a hollow tray. At the top, there is a bronze handle for transport.

The sageju-bako is divided into four superimposed boxes for food on the left; a simple tray, a sake bottle and a hollow tray on the right. They are in the shape of a plum blossom.
On the top, on both sides a phoenix...

Large and wide tray, in Japanese lacquer, black, gold and silver according to the techniques of hiramaki-e and takamaki-e. It offers a setting of two large rabbits in autumn grass looking at the sky, under a large silver crescent moon, on a black background. Length: 66cm x Width: 44cm. With a base. Japan Edo (1603-1868) 19th Century

Inro – Lovely model opening with 4 compartments and a lid, in urushi lacquer, decorated in gold and silver maki-e on a black background. From the front, it represents a richly harnessed horse with a ceremonial saddle, prancing. On the other side, it is the entrance to a pavilion or a temple under pine trees. Lovely details. Height: 6 cm. Japan Edo (1603-1868) 18th century.

RIMPA SCHOOL INKSTONE CASE WITH BAMBOO FOREST IN MAKIE

Bold and refined gold and silver three-dimensional makie lacquer design with the black background in the style of 'Rimpa (Rinpa)' (ref. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rinp/hd_rinp.htm). Edo period, Japan. 21.8 x 16.5 x 5 cm (8.58 x 6.49 x 1.96in)...

Very refined Japanese lacquered wood tray representing a branch of plum blossoms and bamboo leaves in gold and brown lacquer. The decor is placed on a brown base in the style of a basket weave. The back is in black lacquer (ro-iro). The protective wooden box is original and signed on the lid and inside. Dimensions: 10 x 18 cm. Period: Meiji (1868-1912) 19/20th century.

Japanese lacquered gold and silver hira maki-e biwa shape box (kobako).

Japan, Edo period

Length 7,67 in – Width 3,14 in – Heigth 0,7 in

The biwa is a japanese short-necked fretted luth, often used in narrative storrytelling. The biwa is chosen instrument of Benten, goddess of music, eloquence and poetry.

Very beautifully sculpted in the mass of bamboo, the decoration in gold lacquer and polychrome represents 2 Tengu (Japanese legendary creature or demon) under a pine pointing with a finger a vajra (ritual Hindu and Buddhist object, representation of the lightning and the indestructibility...). On the other side a decor of butterflies fluttering over a box in gold lacquer and a lance with at their feet are flowers in polychrome. The whole is very finely carved. Origin: Japan...