A SMALL JAPANESE GOLD AND SILVER LACQUER KOGO (INCENSE BOX AND COVER)

A SMALL JAPANESE GOLD AND SILVER LACQUER KOGO (INCENSE BOX AND COVER)

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

Of rounded rectangular form, decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and with silver inlays on the nashiji ground, the cover and sides embellished with a stream meandering amongst rocks, flowering prunus and pine to the side, some branches issuing from behind fences made of woven bamboo; with two raised characters reading tsuki o (the moon), possibly a reference to a chapter from the Tale of Genji, and with ai go mon crests for the Tokugawa clan repeated across the composition, 6.7cm x 7.5cm x 8.7cm. (2)