An Unusual Lacquer Suzuribako [Writing Box]

An Unusual Lacquer Suzuribako [Writing Box]
Signed Taishin (Ikeda Taishin (1825-1903)), Meiji period (late 19th century)
The box with undulating cover simulating a node of bamboo, decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, ishime-nuri and inlays of gold foil and cut shell with bamboo leaves on a ground made from a layer of bamboo applied to the wood structure, the sides similarly decorated with leaves, the interior in greenish-brown seido-nuri (lacquer imitating bronze),shakudo water dropper in the form of a bamboo leaf, similarly decorated in gold lacquer and inlaid in gold foil and cut shell, two gold lacquered brushes and ink slate, the inside of the lid signed Taishin, tomobako with inscription Taishin saku and titled Chikuyo maki-e suzuribako [bamboo leaf lacquer writing box]
25.8cm. x 19.7cm.