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Japanese Lacquered Maki-e Poem Box Meiji Period

Offered by: Tishu

Description
An elongated rectangular lacquer box with fine Maki-e decoration dated to late Meiji period circa 1890-1900s. The box was traditionally designed to hold poem paper slips and is called Tanzaku Bako in Japanese. The elegant piece has a slightly arched form with a fitted lid. On a high polished black background, the lid was delicately decorated with gold Maki-e featuring a newly sprouted fern fiddlehead and small silver crocus blossoms, both herald the spring season. By combining the hiramaki-e with togidashi maki-e, a painstaking technique, and also use sparse gold powders spilled on the noire background, a light and dreamy visual effect was achieved. The interior and the base of the box was finished in a sparse nashiji.
The Tanzaku box is a great example of the type of literati pieces that highlights a simple composition yet conveys a strong poetic ambience. With large empty black space, the minimalistic approach is very effective, as what is not there is equally important with what is there.

More Information

Origin:	Japan
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	lacquer wood
Condition:	Good. Spotted light surface wear, hard to photograph due to the glossy reflective surface. Abrasion on the fundame rims (mostly on the interior corners) due to contact as shown. A couple of small dings on the base.
Creation Date:	1890-1900s
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental, Florals/Botanical, Handmade
Incollect Reference #:	600069

Dimensions

W.	3.125 in;	H.	1.5 in;	D.	15.25 in;
W.	7.94 cm;	H.	3.81 cm;	D.	38.74 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion