A Japanese Lacquer Writing Box - Suzuri Bako

Superb writing box entirely decorated on a gold and silver nashiji lacquer ground with a floral barrier decoration of chrysanthemums in hira and taka maki-e lacquer in front of a rock. Squares of kirikane gold leaf are delicately placed on this rock. Inside the cover, there is a lake landscape with a pontoon ending in a living room, covered by a roof, which can be used as a tea house in order to admire the landscape. A boat opposite the pontoon is finely chiselled. In the sky many cranes complete this decor. The mizu-ire decorated with chiseled foliage is in silver-plated metal. Period: Edo early 19th century. Plus wooden box.