A lacquer suzuri’bako 硯箱 (writing box) of circular form depicting a flying heron 白鷺 (shirasagi) with its wings spread out.
The flush-fitting cover finished with a rim of silver, and its motif executed in takamaki-e 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer design) in different shades of gold on a glossy black lacquer ground 蝋色漆 (rôiro). The tailfeathers subtly rendered in gold and silver togidashi-e 研出蒔絵 (burnished lacquer design).
The interior of the cover bearing a densely sprinkled ground similarly decorated and with kirikane 切金 to depict a river with wooden planks and bamboo. Continued on the similarly lacquered interior of the box with a central raised section fitted with an oval inkstone 硯 (suzuri) and silver waterdropper, marked, in the form of a waning gibbous moon. The latter, reflecting the distinctive form of the writing box resembling a full moon. Including original wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box) with inscriptions in ink.
Height 3.8 cm.
Diameter 24.6 cm.
In a very good condition with minor wear and light surface.