Antique Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stack Box Jubako

An antique jubako (stack boxes) with five tiers in an elongated octagon shape circa 19th century (end of Edo or beginning of Meiji period). jubako was traditionally used to store and carry foods in Edo time, often as part of the accoutrement with a larger set, often for picnics of the wealthy and noble families. The jubako on offer here is decorated with a wide range of exquisite motifs using both hiramakie and takamakie techniques. Two boxes displays floral and leave design on the background of a flowing creek. Two boxes was decorated with fan painting with stunning details of various motifs, on a background of an octagonal turtle back pattern with a four-petal fleur. The top tier features festival tents with flying birds. The top lid showcase a lion (Shishi in Japanese) centered in a floral border. The body of the Shishi was created using Togidashi burnish technique to achieve a dimensional visual effect. The maki-e design was done with extradentary details and mastery. The interior of the box is finished in a vermilion lacquer in keeping with its function as food vessels.