EXCEPTIONAL SUZURIBAKO OF THE INRÔ-BUTA ZUKURI... - Lot 107

Lot n° 107

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12000 - 15000 EUR

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Result : 15 000EUR

EXCEPTIONAL SUZURIBAKO OF THE INRÔ-BUTA ZUKURI... - Lot 107 - Osenat

EXCEPTIONAL SUZURIBAKO OF THE INRÔ-BUTA ZUKURI TYPE, In lacquer with dominant gold, decorated with the theme of plants of the four seasons, the lid and sides decorated in iro-e takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, tsukegaki, togidashi and kirigane on a black background and mura-nashiji, of chrysanthemums, poppies, narcissi, astilbe, clover and other wild grasses on the banks of a meandering stream with two small gold rocks. The reverse side of the lid features a decoration of flowers and field plants in hiramaki-e on a mura-nashiji background, which can be seen inside the box. The box is divided by a removable partition and contains an ink stone with sides and bottom lacquered in nashiji on a black background, as well as a suiteki (dropper) in the shape of a knot. The edges of the lid and the box are highlighted with pewter. The set is completed by two brushes, a knife for tapering the brushes and a tip in kin-fundame lacquer cases for the last two. With its original wooden box, tomobako, bearing the following calligraphy: ?????? ??? ?? ??... Shiki sôka maki-e on-suzuribako Heian Zôhiko... Literally: Gold lacquer inkstone box (decorated) with plants and flowers of the four seasons by Heian Zôhiko. Japan, end of the Meiji period - Taishô period (circa 1910-1920) Dim : Length : 23.5 cm , Width : 20.5 cm , Depth : 4.4 cm Condition : perfect. Provenance : this suzuribako was acquired by the great-grandfather of the present owner, from the Zohiko house at the beginning of the 20th century. It is in its original condition, complete and hardly used by the buyer, who left a sheet with some calligraphy characters. Certificate: a certificate attesting to the authenticity of the suzuribako and confirming that it is the work of Nishimura Hikobei VIII, was established by the house of Zôhiko on June 10, 2020, at the request of the owner. Zohiko House in Kyoto: The name Zohiko on the lid of the wooden box refers to Nishimura Hikobei VIII (1887-1965), the eighth master lacquerer, who took over the Zohiko House in Kyoto in 1910. The beginnings of this house go back to 1661, under the name of Zôge-ya. But it was Nishimura Hikobei III who, from 1803, established the reputation of the house, which took the name of Zôhiko, in homage to Zôge-ya and Hikobei. Hikobei III's virtuosity in creating lacquerware was such that he was awarded the title of makie-tsukasa, "master of makie", by the emperor. From then on, the Zôhiko house worked regularly for the imperial court of Kyôto, transmitting from generation to generation a know-how in the purest tradition of Japanese lacquerware of the highest level. Thus, Nishimura Hikobei VIII, creator of our suzuribako, obtained orders to decorate the Emperor Taisho's carriage, for the Omiya Palace, residence of the Dowager Empress, for the Nijo-jo Castle and the Imperial Palace of Kyoto on the occasion of the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Showa, as well as numerous objects offered as gifts to the imperial family or by them to illustrious guests. The links with the court continued with his successor, Hikobei IX, and the reputation of the house in the production of high quality lacquerware has not diminished to this day. RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL LACQUER SUZURIBAKO Japan, late Meiji period-Taishô period, c.a 1910-1920 In gold and iro-e maki-e on a black and mura-nashiji ground, with a four seasons flowers and plants decoration, complete with an inkstone enhanced with nashiji on its sides and base, a suiteki, two brushes, a knife and a skewer in kin-fundame holders. With its tomobako, wood storage box, bearing the inscription " Shiki sôka maki-e on-suzuribako " and signed Heian Zôhiko, being Nishimura Hikobei VIII (1910-1965). Dim : Long : 23.5 cm , Larg : 20.5 cm , Prof : 4.4 cm Condition : perfect Provenance : this suzuribako was acquired from Zôhiko by the present owner's great-grandfather at the beginning of the 20th Century. It was kept complete, in its original tomobako box, since then. A certificate by the Zôhiko workshop, dated June 10th, 2020, confirms that the suzuribako is authentic and by Nishimura Hikobei VIII, who took over the Zôhiko workshop in 1910 until 1965. Nishimura Hikobei VIII was the 8th generation of a long line of famous master-craftsmen in the art of maki-e who worked for the imperial court in Kyoto.

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EXCEPTIONAL SUZURIBAKO OF THE INRÔ-BUTA ZUKURI... - Lot 107 - Osenat

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