A GOLD-LACQUER LARGE RECTANGULAR RYOSHIBAKO (DOCUMENT BOX)

Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
The inrobuta (flush-fitting lid) with a rich Gyobu ground inset with a silver-rimmed central medallion enclosing an autumn night scene embellished predominately in gold and slight brown togidashi maki-e and mura-nashiji, depicting a stag in the foreground at the foot of a maple tree eyeing his mate partially concealed among flowering shrubs of chrysanthemum and bush clover, the inside of the lid decorated with three overlapping ogi (folding fans), similarly richly lacquered, each enclosing a different design, one decorated with the Yatsuhashi (Eightfold Bridge) and irises, alluding to an episode in Ise Monogatari (The Ise Stories), the second with cherry trees growing on the Yoshino hills and the third with the full moon rising over a thatched dwelling on the shore of a river, reserved on a rich nashji ground, the rims mounted with silver, the inside and underside of the box also in rich nashiji, the outside of the box lacquered with Gyobu flakes matching the ground on the lid, with a plain lacquered outer box and a wood inner storage box. 15cm x 41cm x 32cm (5 7/8in x 16 3/16in x 12 9/16in). (4).
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