Gold Powdered Lacquer Box, Decoration Of 3 Friends. Hira And Takamaki-e, Kirikane, Silver. Japan Taisho.

Box (kobako) in lacquer (urushi) powdered with gold (kinji) decoration in relief (takamaki-e) of the 3 friends (plum tree, pine and bamboo) on a mountain (perhaps Mount Horaï of the immortals?) The mountain is lacquered in red under the gold powder, revealing scarlet shades depending on the orientation of the light. The carefully executed interior represents a flight of flat-lacquered cranes (hiramaki-e), a subject in the ancient Heian style, on a background of spangled lacquer (nashij-i) forming stains like a suede coat (ka-no- ko) . The underside is lacquered by a magnificent gyo-bu nashi-ji. The edges are reinforced by a discreet silver frame. The artist signed his work on the inside in a discreet way, half drowning the characters in the decor. Jiho Saku. The artistic and technical excellence of this box as well as its perfect condition make it worthy of the best collections.
In a perfect state. 128x101x59mm