A Fine lacquer writing implement box and cover (suzuribako) Late 18th century

decorated in gold, silver and red hiramaki-e and takamaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlays and sprinkled nashi-ji, depicting the night viewing  of plum blossoms, with two elegantly dressed ladies walking along fences which continue to the sides of the body, the interior of the cover depicting a courtesan and an assistant (kamuro) holding fans as they cool themselves beside a stream while watching fireflies, the river bank in dense nashi-ji, all on a black lacquer (ro-iro) ground, the interior with a continuing scene of the stream and iris, fitted with an ink stone and a water dropper (suiteki) (2)

Baumann.
Christie's New York, 22nd March 1984, lot 976.

The black lacquer on the cover has minor spots in places, the lower left corner (standing) has a small surface chip and crack measuring 1/4 inches. There is some tarnishing to the metal waterdropper, which is illustration in the catalogue, otherwise it is in good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The ladies depicted are in the style of paintings by Nishikawa Sukenobu or prints by Suzuki  Harunobu. The setting of the interior is most likely the Uji River in Kyoto, famous for fireflies, and the overall design maybe an allusion to a story in The Tale of Genji. Two daughters of an imperial prince, who were neglected and lived alone by the turbulent waters of the Uji River, were discovered and courted in secret by two noblemen from the capital. The romance of the elder sister was ill-fated.

For a writing box with a similar subject, see Japanese Lacquer, 1600-1900, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980, fig. 48, p. 48.