A magnificent imperial presentation suzuribako [writing box] and bundai [writing table] | Signed Akatsuka jitoku kinsei | Meiji period, late 19th century

A magnificent imperial presentation suzuribako [writing box] and bundai [writing table] | Meiji period, late 19th century 

Signed Akatsuka jitoku kinseiMeiji period, late 19^th century 

the writing box with overhanging cover and rounded corners, decorated in various tones of gold, silver, black and brown hiramaki-e and takamaki-e on a very fine kinji ground with peony, flowers and grasses and a central chrysanthemum mon, the interior of the cover with various flowers and foliage, some inlaid in mother-of-pearl, all on a nashiji ground, the interior in rich nashiji, slate inkstone with fundame rims, silver dropper chased, engraved and hammered with chrysanthemums and foliage, fitted with knife, paper pricker, two brushes and ink cake holder, the knife, paper pricker and ink cake holder mounted in silver and decorated to match the water dropper; the writing table decorated in gold, brown, silver and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e on a kinpun gold ground, decorated with peonies, wild flowers and grasses, the reverse with rich nashiji, the four corner supports and legs with silver rims, the corners to the side of the top with very fine silver mounts carved, chased and hammered with chrysanthemum flowerheads and scrolling foliage 

the box: 24 x 21.5 x 4.5 cm, 9⅜ x 8½ x 1¾ in.

the desk: 34.5 x 60.5 x 12.5 cm, 13½ x 23 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.

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