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.

Fan-shaped kobako in lacquer. The kobako is decorated with autumn plants on sequined silver and gold. The inside and the circumference are in nashi-ji lacquer.

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

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...

Two big eight-sided kaioke boxes in black lacquer, decorated with mon and maple leaves in golden lacquer.

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Height: 17,6 in (44,7 cm) -Width : 14,9 in (38 cm)

Incense burner in lacquer, hexagonal and curved shaped, decorated with hira and takamaki-e in gold and silver lacquer on a nashi-ji background, peonies along the banks of a river and a mount. The lid has a cruciform opening.
A mon is affixed to one side of the diffuser. It is the mon of the family Ōkubo (大久保氏)a family belonging to the Fudai-Daimyo house (the vassals of the Tokugawa family).
The head of the family was created Daimyo by the Tokugawa family in 1684...

A Japanese paulownia wood Kashi-ki “sweet box” with leaves and flowers motifs, decorate with kijimakie lacquer design and gold parts, mother of pearl inlays and lead foil. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 13 x 10 x 6,5cm. Condition report: Good condition

Small gold lacquer tray, magnificent example of kirikane and multiple lacquer technical and multiple lacquering techniques. Absolutely exceptional quality, very rarely encountered. Presence of small details in mother of pearl. I think it must have been part of a set, most probably inside a box? But it is possible that it was created alone. Perfect state of conservation. Difficult to date exactly, I would say around 1800. Dimensions 105x80mm.

Rare japanese urushi lacquer box of a calabash shape. Beautiful Hoteï sleeping on his bag on a black ground. Nashiji lacquer inside with two figthers. A rare border of checkerboard and mother of pearl inlays.

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...

Namban chest in lacquer with inlayed mother-of-pearl in a floral pattern. The metalwork is in engraved copper.

The word "Namban" comes from namban-jinou "southern barbarians", used by the Japanese to refer to the Europeans, especially the Portuguese. Namban art came about between 1500 and 1600. The Portuguese reached Japan in 1543 and forged a very intricate commercial relationship.
Initially, the Japanese weren't overly fond of the Portuguese...

Kushibako (comb box) in black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of arrows and my in the shape of three assembled commas " mitsudomoe " (Okabe; Itakura; Kuki; Hijikata; Arima families)

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 4,5 in – 11,5 cm Length : 6,3 in – 16 cm Width : 5,1 in - 13 cm

Suzuribako (writing box) in lacquer decorated with clematises and kakis trees in black and gold lacquer and kirigane lacquer on a nashi-ji background. This suzuribako is composed of an ink rock, a small water pot and two side compartments in nashi-ji lacquer. Several mon in shape of fans are also present.

Japan, Edo period (1603-1868)

Depth: 2” - 5cm
Length: 9.4” - 24 cm
Width: 8.6” - 22 cm

4 lacquered wood panels inlaid with metals and mother-of-pearl. Very old Japanese work. Decoration of rocks boldly drawn with power but elegance, decorated with plants. Whoever has painted such a high quality drawing is an excellent artist, certainly one of the best of his time...

Lacquered and painted wood travel coffer or cabinet with iron mountings and lock. Japanese work. The exterior is black lacquered decorated with gold and polychrome. Some typical patterns allow us to date it with certainty around 1580 more or less 20 years. Very rare specimen, few similar models exist. The lock is one of the very first executed in Japan because it was the Portuguese who brought the technique when they landed in Japan around 1550...

Lacquered wood sake cup. Hira and Taka Maki-é gold powder decoration on a KinJi (gold powder) background, différents kind of nashiji, détails in red,brown and reddish brown, the reverse in red lacquer. Depicting a curious scene of mother and childs in front of a toys shop. Epoque Edo. Signature. Best quality surely a great artist and very amusing and curious scène as you can see there are some toys, ducks, boats ,evil but what's this water machine? I don't know ,somebody perhaps know? .Go...

Lacquered wood sake cup. Hira and Taka Maki-é gold powder decoration on a Kinji (gold powder) background depicting a procession. It seems that they are children in a cart.The roofing continues on the red lacquered back.Period 19th Edo or Meiji. Signature. Good condition except for a tiny chip on the edge visible on an enlarged photo. No restoration or repainting. D: 125mm H: 28mm

lacquer sake cup, silver kinji lacquer background decorated with a procession in hira and taka maki-e. Red lacquered back. Signature. Edo or meiji period. D: 112mm H: 27mm. Good condition, a tiny chip on the foot visible on an enlarged photo.