Japanese Lacquered Maki-e Fubako Edo Period

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box used to store document or small scroll painting), circa second half of 19th century late Edo period. The rectangular box features an unusually deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box that is almost entirely covered by the lid which has two bronze medallion rings with tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e (low relief maki-e) and Takamaki-e (high relief) in gold with small silver inlays and ink paint in the lower part of the lid. The design showcases a wooded mountainous landscape with a water wheel hut by a rushing stream. The stream was rendered in black paint with comb-scratched golden highlight, a decorative technique from early period. Some leaves were likely highlighted in silver maki-e but now have oxidated to black. Motifs such as the rocks by the stream and pine tree trunks were raised in Takamaki-e to give more dimension. Gold kirigane squares were used as inlays on top to highlight the texture. The design continues and cascades down to the sides of the lid that nearly covers all the lower box to the base. The interior of both parts and the exterior of the lower box were finished in a dense nashiji and it shows expected sun fading along contour of the lid. Gold fundame traces along the rims.
Examining the fubako, it is evident that it was well used and of its original condition. The bronze chrysanthemum rings and the silk ropes appear original. The piece displays patina in places such as the interior corners of the lower box, consistent with long period of use.