A black-lacquer small suzuribako (box for writing utensils)
Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th/early 19th centuryThe lustrous black-lacquer inrobuta (flush-fitting lid) decorated in predominantly gold and red takamaki-e with three karako (Chinese boys) kneeling around a captured bird in a cage, one boy releasing a second bird by tying a string tied to its legs, the interior fitted with a removable tray for the brushes and a baseboard holding the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and suiteki (water-dropper), the inside of the lid and of the box of rich nashiji; unsigned. 2.6cm x 12.7cm x 13.8cm (1in x 5in x 5?in). (6).