One of the finest Japanese Maki-e Suzuribakos (ink box) we have on offer, the roiro color box showcases an ambient nocturnal scene in which two shakudō inlaid crows perched on the handrails of a bridge (possible the Uji Bridge outside of Kyoto) under a cloudy night sky. The ambience continues to the interior under the lid, where a half-hidden silver moon casts a faint shadow over the water, with the banks reinforced by jakago (bamboo baskets filled with stones) highlighted by Radan shell inlays shimmering in the darkness. This imagery may allude to the opening line of a famous Tang Dynasty pome by Zhang Ji: The moon is setting among cries of the crows; the night is covered with autumn frost.
The base of the interior features a raised platform and a frame containing a suzuri (ink stone) with gold fundame rims) and a silver suiteki (water dropper) of in the complementary form of a waterwheel and waves. Under the inkstone, there is signature "Koma Kyūhaku" in gold Maki-e Kanji. Koma Family is a dynasties of lacquer artists started in the 17th century by Kyui I and continues to the beginning of the 19th century. In the eighteenth century, there were six Kyūhaku over the generations that used the same name with the last one Kyūhaku VI died in 1806. It is therefore difficult to know exactly when the piece was made or by whom. It was likely made in 18th century during Edo period.
With a kabusebuta (overhanging lid) and scalloped sumikiri (cut-off corners), the exquisite suzuribako strikes one with its moodiness and delicate but sure-handed composition. The wide range of decorative techniques, including gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and togidashi maki-e with hirame flakes, shakudō, and radan inlays, were used harmoniously and cohesively to achieve the aesthetic vision.
There is a tomobako box in black-painted wood accompanies the suzuribako. It remains a collector's paper sticker with ink Kanji note: "Maki-e Ink box; Bird over bridge, seeing the half-hidden moon from afar. Made by Koma Kyūhaku".
W.9.25 in;H.2 in;D.10.125 in;