Signed Ogetsu saku, Meiji period (late 19th century)

Details

A Fine Lacquer Suzuribako [Writing Box]
Signed Ogetsu saku, Meiji period (late 19th century)
The rectangular box with flush-fitting cover decorated in gold, silver and red hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirikane, togidashi-e and nashiji, with a poem inlaid in finely-carved mother-of-pearl over a design of clouds, the interior of the cover decorated with young pine trees amongst hills, fitted inner tray with silver waterdropper in the form of a Genji mon, slate inkstone with gold lacquer rims, a knife, paper pricker and inkstick holder with finely engraved silver fittings and two brushes; each decorated with cherry blossoms and nashiji, the box and cover with silver rims, fitted black lacquer storage box signed Ogetsu saku
26.2 x 23.8 x 5 cm.

Brought to you by

Anastasia von Seibold

avonseibold@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3127

Lot Essay

The calligraphy is part of a poem by Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801): Shikishima no / yamato / kokoro o

The complete poem reads: Shikishima no yamato gokoro o hito towaba, asahi ni niou yamazakura bana

[If one should ask what the heart of a true Japanese is, I would point to the wild cherry flower glowing in the sun]

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