Bunko and Suzuribako, 7 Scholars in the bamboo grove, Japan 19th century

This set comprises a bunko, a document box, and a suzuribako, a box for writing instruments. The two pieces form a coherent suite through their decoration, technique, and subject: the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, or Chikurin shichiken in Japanese.

This theme, of Chinese origin, evokes a group of 3rd-century scholars—poets, musicians, and thinkers—gathered in a bamboo grove away from the court. In Japanese art, it belongs to the repertoire of scholarly subjects inspired by Chinese art. It is particularly suited to a set related to writing, paper preservation, and ink preparation.

The exterior decoration depicts the seven sages in a bamboo grove. The figures, rocks, and landscape details are rendered in gold maki-e on a brown nashiji background. The decoration combines hiramaki-e, for the surface details, and takamaki-e, for the reliefs. Iridescent aogai mother-of-pearl is featured in the details of the decoration, particularly in the bamboo motifs. One of the sages holds a sheet of light-colored mother-of-pearl paper bearing an inscription, which may be a signature.

The interiors are also decorated. The reverses of the lids depict landscapes in gold lacquer, with pavilions, rocks, trees, and architectural elements. The base of the large box is adorned with bamboo; the base of the suzuribako also features a bamboo motif, echoing the main theme.

The suzuribako retains its inkstone and a fine bronze suiteki. This water dropper, of a sculptural type and rather unusual in a writing set, reinforces the scholarly and precious character of the ensemble.

The quality of execution is high. The nashiji (the metalwork) is dense, the reliefs are well-constructed, and the use of mother-of-pearl is masterful. The set combines the literati function of the boxes with refined decoration, drawing on classical Chinese culture and interpreted in the Japanese style of grand decorative lacquer.

In very good condition. Each box retains its original tomobako with an antique inscription.

Dimensions of the bunko: 45 × 39 × 21 cm.
Dimensions of the suzuribako: 29 × 25.5 × 10 cm.