A FINE JAPANESE GOLD LACQUER BUNKO (DOCUMENT BOX)

A FINE JAPANESE GOLD LACQUER BUNKO (DOCUMENT BOX)
MEIJI ERA, 19TH CENTURY

The tall rectangular box with a flush-fitting lid and inner tray, all exquisitely decorated in gold and silver hiramaki-e, nashiji, kirikane and iroe hiramaki-e with a complex design of fans scattered on a mokume ground realistically simulating wood grain; each fan embellished with a different design, one with thatched huts by a lake, another with a bird perched on a fishing boat, a third with a large ox-drawn cart; two with luxurious verandas and others depicting lush gardens and flowers, several details referencing the Tale of Genji; the base of the box and reverse sides of the lid and inner tray in nashiji; 15.5cm x 20.5cm x 25.5cm. (3)

Provenance: the Tomkinson Family Collection; purchased from Michael E. Bound, June 2011; a copy of the original invoice is available.