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A JAPANESE RYOSHIBAKO LACQUER BOX, EDO PERIOD, 18TH CENTURY

Reference: ART2001825

A remarkable lacquered wooden document box 料紙箱 (ryôshibako) by Tanda Chûbe’e 谷田忠兵衛 (active 18th century), featuring a rectangular shape. It is beautifully adorned witha continuous scene showcasing an impressive large pine tree 松 rendered in pitch black hiramaki-e 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer design) accentuated by square flakes of shiny mother-of-pearl 螺鈿 (raden) inlays along the branches. The bunches of needles are all made in relief.
This majestic tree towers above a charming plum tree 梅 (ume), executed in a shiny contrasting gold lacquer with oxidized silver blossoms. The plum tree is highlighted by golden kirigane 切金, (cut and inlaid pieces of gold leaf).
The scene is set against a vibrant crimson red background with a chamfered golden edge along the cover.
The interior is decorated with a motif of silver plum blossoms floating In front of a misty background of golden Nashiji 梨子地 (sprinkled gold lacquer) on a black lacquer substrate, finished with golden fundame 粉溜地 (matt lacquer) rims.
The underside has a glossy black lacquer coating.

Including red stained wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box) with a signed inscription in ink, and copy with information about the artist in Japanese.

Tanda Chûbe’e 谷田忠兵衛 was an Edo period maki-e lacquer artist whose exact birth and death dates are unknown. Born in Edo 江戸 (now Tokyo), he later served the 4th lord of the Tokushima Domain, Hachisuka Tsunamichi 蜂須賀綱通, and moved to Awa Province 阿波国. There, he developed a unique and ornate maki-e technique known as "kinkogashi" 金こがし. This technique, exclusive to Tanda, is highly esteemed in the history of Japanese lacquer art.
Notable works include "Flower Viewing Bento with Floral Lacquer Painting" 草花漆絵花見 弁当, housed in the Tokushima Castle Museum 徳島城博物館, and "Floral Lacquer Painting Food Box" 草花漆絵食籠, housed in the Tokyo National Museum 東京国立博物館.

Period: Japan – 18th century (Edo period).
Dimensions:
Height 12.6 cm, Width 40.8 cm, Depth 32.1 cm.

The box is in very good restored condition, with some general signs of age and a few missing silver petals. Please refer to the photos for a clear condition reference.