A gold-lacquer ryoshibako (document box) and cover
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th centuryOf standard rectangular form with inrobuta (flush-fitting lid), entirely covered in gold lacquer and decorated in predominantly gold takamaki-e with details executed in high-relief inlay of gold and assorted shell and kirikane, depicting on the lid a cormorant standing on wave-lashed rocks, applied with eight seashells including hotate (scallop), sazae (turban shell) and hamaguri (clam shell) beneath a windblown pine tree among grassy rocks, a moored tamabune (a rush-mat roofed boat) in the foreground, a pair of ducks on the turbulent waters on the right, the scene filling the surface and extending around its four sides, the rims of silver, the inside of the lid and underside of the box of rich nashiji, the interior of the box lined with brocade; unsigned. 20.7cm x 31.2cm x 36.5cm (8 1/16in x 12?in x 14 3/8in). (2).