Live Auction 21618Japanese and Korean Art
A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO)
Lot 61

A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO)

MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Closed21 March 2023

Price Realised

USD 5,040

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A LACQUER WRITING BOX (SUZURIBAKO)
MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)
The rectangular box decorated in kinpun, gold, silver, brown and red lacquer in hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and togidashi, designed with people and horse cart crossing Uji Bridge by willow tree, interior with mitsudomoe crest on nashiji ground, fitted with silver saucer and water dropper in rock shape, base with nashiji ground; with silver rims
10 x 7 1/4 x 1 3/4 in. (25.4 x 18.4 x 4.5 cm.)

Specialist note

The scene of willow trees by the bridge is often considered a reference Uji Bridge, which is well-known for its association with the Tale of Genji. The final ten chapters of the book are referred to as the 'Ten Books of Uji' (Uji-jujo) because the story is set in the area surrounding Uji. Additionally, the bridge is linked to the Shinto deity known as 'The Divine Princess of Uji Bridge' (Hashihime). This deity is believed to protect the bridge and is enshrined in a nearby shrine that bears her name. The bridge has been featured in numerous artworks, including examples found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015.300.105.1, .2) and the Tokyo National Museum (G4830).