Japan, Taisho period (1912-1926)

The set comprising a ryoshibako (stationery box), suzuribako (writing box), bundai (writing table), a fubako (letter box), and a tanzakubako (poem-card box) filled with poem cards. Each bearing a lustrous roiro ground finely decorated in gold takamaki-e and hiramaki-e with kirikane and e-nashiji. The bunko of rounded rectangular form and decorated to the flush-fitting cover with the morning sun in red takamaki-e partly obscured by wispy clouds and surrounded by swirling and rock-like cloud formations continuing over to the sides, the interior of rich nashiji with gold fundame edges and fitted with a tray, the base of sparse nashijii. The suzuribako with the crescent moon in silver takamaki-e, with some silver lacquer to the clouds as well, the interior also similarly lacquered and fitted with an ita (baseboard) containing a signed waterdropper (suiteki) with crescent moon in silver takazogan above neatly engraved blossoms. The bundai, fubako, and gently arched rectangular fumibako all decorated en suite with clouds. The fumibako filled with poem slips.

SIZE 16 x 42.5 x 33 cm (the bunko), 5.2 x 25.3 x 22 cm (the suzuribako), 12.5 x 59 x 34.6 cm (the bundai), 7 x 27 x 9 cm (the fubako), and 4.9 x 35 x 8 cm (the fumibako)

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, occasional light scratches, few tiny flakes, minimal traces of use. The stationery box with minor age cracks to one lower corner.