A Fine Japanese Lacquer Suzuri-bako (Writing Box), c.1910, decorated with a pair of deer in a nighttime autumn landscape, with a maple tree and grasses by a stream, in gold with accents of silver set against a black lacquer background lavishly accented with sprinkled gold, maki-e technique emulating a starry night sky. The motif is a common one in Japanese decorative arts--lacquer, textiles, porcelain, and poetry--and is a symbol of fall and sadness. The decorative scheme continues on the interior of the cover with a nighttime autumn landscape of various finely detailed flowers on the banks of a meandering stream under a crescent moon in gilded clouds. Red lacquer accents a group of flowers on the bank and the sky is enriched with sprinkled gold. The edges of the box fitted with silver. The fitted lacquer insert with a gilt edged slate inkstone and silvered water dropper in the form of a stylized chrysanthemum, with tomobako. Unsigned. Provenance: Grace Tsumugi Fine Art, London

H. 10" W. 8 "

Condition: Excellent Condition.