A JAPANESE KŌBAKO (INCENSE BOX) AND A LACQUER TRAY

A JAPANESE KŌBAKO (INCENSE BOX) AND A LACQUER TRAY
MEIJI ERA (1868-1912), 19TH CENTURY

The rectangular box and cover elegantly raised on short feet, decorated in black, red and gold lacquer hiramaki-e, nashiji and takamaki-e, the lid embellished with a gnarly prunus tree with large blossoms and other plants; the sides with feathers, some details inlaid in mother of pearl; containing a small tray decorated with wisteria and trailing tendrils, and three inner boxes, two with flowers and one with paulownia mon; together with a larger lacquer tray, adorned with a small frog amongst lotus leaves, a large flower beside it, the reverse decorated with small fish amongst seaweed to the rim, with three labels at the back, one with William Cleverley Alexander's monogram; both the box and tray stored in a silk pouch, the box 4cm x 9.2cm x 6.3cm, the tray 10.2cm x 13cm. (12)

Provenance: from the collection of William Cleverley Alexander (1840-1916), and thence by descent.