A JAPANESE LACQUER BOX

A JAPANESE LACQUER BOX, COVER, AND INNER TRAY

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

The rectangular body and cover decorated in red, gold and silver nashiji and takamaki-e lacquer with a mountainous river landscape, with many sail boats in the distance and a thatched hut underneath pines in the foreground, a lone fisherman in a sampan visible in the lower right corner, a small stream meandering on the sides; the underside of the lid decorated with a vase containing flowering branches of prunus, narcissi in a jardinière and small birds flying above; the inner tray with sprays of chrysanthemum, prunus and peony floating amongst scrolling waves, the rim with the three hollyhock leaves gosanke mon; the base of the box signed Kajikawa Masaharu in gold lacquer, 6cm x 13.7cm x 10cm. (3)

See the San Diego Museum of Art, Access. no.1976.236.a-c, for a related box, cover and inner tray by Kajikawa Masaharu also depicting a mountainous river landscape.