Asian Art II - 18th November 2015

Lot 344

A JAPANESE GOLD LACQUER DOCUMENT BOX AND COVER

Estimate £1,500 - £2,000 | Hammer £1600

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Description

A JAPANESE GOLD LACQUER DOCUMENT BOX AND COVER, BUNKO

EDO 1615-1868

Decorated in relief with gold lacquer to the cover with a kago (sedan chair) amongst vines, with rocks in the distance, the interior with a mountain landscape, a bridge across the river, a water wheel and with buildings beyond, the water wheel containing a mercury waterfall enclosed in a cavity set into the cover, which tilts to provide the illusion of water and which turns the wheel, the background in gold nashiji, 22.5cm x 21cm. (2)

Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, p.115, no.81, where an example described as Chinese is illustrated.