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Box for Writing Utensils with Design of Egrets and Waterwheel, 19th century

Offered by: Thomsen Gallery

Description
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup:Maki-e Lacquer artist, Box for Writing Utensils with Design of Egrets and Waterwheel, 19th century
Maki-e Lacquer artist
Box for Writing Utensils with Design of Egrets and Waterwheel, 19th century
Maki-e gold lacquer on wood
Size 2¾ x 9½ x 7½ in. (7 x 24 x 18.8 cm)
T-4985

Of rounded rectilinear form with slightly domed kabusebuta (overhanging lid), of nando suzuribako type with a storage space for paper below and a kakego (tray) above, the exterior finished in gold nashiji flakes over a roiro black lacquer ground, the decoration in gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with a few details in black lacquer and some passages of dense gold kinpun, depicting a suisha or mizuguruma (waterwheel for irrigation), with four shirasagi (egrets) flying above in a formation that echoes the curve of the wheel, another egret below just taking to the air, their necks folded in a characteristic S-shape, the sides of the box with further egrets and the lower part of the wheel, the kakego with three more egrets, the river and reeds, the kakego fitted with a frame securing a suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a copper suiteki (water dropper) in the form of a water-plant bud and leaves and with a fudekake (brush rest) to either side, the bases black lacquer with sparse gold hirame flakes; silvered metal cord fittings in the form of cherry blossoms

Comes with a wood fitted tomobako storage box inscribed Gunro suisha maki-e on-suzuribako (Box for Writing Utensils with Waterwheel and Egret Design in Maki-e)

Combining the motifs of a waterwheel and a flight of egrets, an anonymous master lacquerer here creates an original design with few recorded parallels in traditional Japanese art: compositions including a waterwheel, bridge, and willow had been a favorite subject for screen painting since the end of the sixteenth century but this pairing with egrets is rarely, if ever, seen in any medium. While the maki-e techniques used are conventional, the artist has deployed the elements of the design with a simplicity and boldness that recalls the Rinpa tradition, which was enjoying a revival when this box was made, probably during the early to middle decades of the nineteenth century.

More Information

In the Style of:	Maki-e
Period:	19th Century
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	785680

Dimensions

W.	9.5 in;	H.	2.75 in;	D.	7.5 in;
W.	24.13 cm;	H.	6.99 cm;	D.	19.05 cm;

Message from Seller:

Thomsen Gallery, located at 9 East 63rd Street in New York City, specializes in important Japanese paintings, screens, scrolls, ceramics, ikebana bamboo baskets, and lacquer objects, as well as contemporary works by select artists. Owned by Erik and Cornelia Thomsen, the gallery offers a wealth of expertise in Japanese art, with global clientele including collectors and museums. Reach them at 212-288-2588 or info@thomsengallery.com