Japanese Maki-e Lacquerware Portable Lunch Set Sagejubako

Sagejubako is a portable lunch set that became popular in the early Edo period when an additional meal was added between breakfast and dinner. It normally consists of a carry case with a handle on top and two sake bottle, an open serving tray, a four-tiered food storage boxes called Jubako, and additional lidded storage box (in this case, two). This set is rare because not only it was superbly decorated but also it appears that the set retains all the original components in fine condition. Executed in Hiramaki-e on the surface, a wide range of decorative motifs, such as bamboos, peonies, Japanese mums, maple leaves were used as well as idyllic sceneries such as flowing streams and rocks formation by the ocean. The Jubako showcases a phoenix perched on an old pine tree with tails cascading down the side of the boxes. The maki-e was very finely done with silver inlays that has oxidized to black, all on a Nishiji background The interior was finished in a vermilion red.
The set is likely dated to mid-late 19th century (Edo period), a beautiful and well preserved example.