A lacquer writing box (suzuribako)
Meiji period (late 19th century), sealed Zohiko (Nishimura Hikobei)
Square with round corners, finely decorated in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and kirikane with bamboo and blossoming chrysanthemums on a roiro ground, the underside of the lid decorated in gold and silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with streams and rocks on a nashiji ground; fitted with a slate inkstone, removable tray, silver water dropper in the shape of overlapping cherry blossoms, knife, paper pricker and two brushes; rims silver
10 x 9 1/8 x 1¾in. (25.4 x 23.2 x 4.5cm.)
With original wood box titled Kiku take maki-e on suzuribako kodogu sou (lacquer writing box with bamboo and chrysanthemums, and implements) on the lid and signed Heian Zohiko saku (made by Zohiko) and sealed Zohiko on the underside of the lid

Provenance
From a Private Collection
Previously sold Sotheby's, New York, 4 June 1992, lot 63