A COLLECTION OF JAPANESE LACQUER BOXES

A SMALL COLLECTION OF JAPANESE LACQUER BOXES
EDO/MEIJI, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

All decorated in gold lacquer, comprising: a fan-shaped box, decorated with a man resting on a daybed observing a bird, a reference to the Tale of Genji; three square boxes and overlapping covers, and a cylindrical box with lid, all decorated with the same waterwheel and double-feather mon (family crests); together with a rectangular kōgō (incense box and cover) with pine, and a fubako (letter box and cover) with flowers issuing from rockwork and paulownia mon, 26cm max. (14)

Provenance: by repute, acquired in Asia c.1880 by Lieutenant Colonel Francis G Howard, and thence by descent.