A gold-lacquer matching set of bundai (writing desk) and suzuribako (box for writing utensils)
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th centuryThe bundai of standard form wtih fudegaeshi (raised sections to left and right); the ten silver fittings to the corners and sides of the top and the ends of the fudegaeshi chiselled with aoi-mon (three hollyhock leaves within a circular border), the insignia of the Tokugawa family, interwoven among karakusa ('Chinese grasses'), the legs also embellished with karakusa and outlined in silver; the suzuribako rectangular with a kabusebuta (overhanging lid), the interior of the box with two removable rectangular narrow trays and a baseboard fitted with the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and a silver-gilt suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of a cluster of cherry blossoms, the lacquer decoration of both bundai and suzruibako executed in bright gold lacquer and gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with gold togidashi maki-e details, depicting aoi-mon scattered among tall stems of bamboo, all reserved on a rich nashiji ground, the interior of the lid with a pine tree and plum branches overhanging a meandering stream, mountains in the distance, the interior of the suzuribako with pine saplings and plum, the underside of both bundai and suzuribako gold nashiji lacquer, both unsigned; with an inscribed wood storage box. The suzuribako: 5cm x 24cm x 25.5cm (2in x 9 7/16in x 10in), the bundai: 11cm x 58.2cm x 33.2cm (4?in x 13 1/16in). (8).