Bunko and suzuribako decorated with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove

Japan, late Edo–early Meiji period, 19th century
Gold maki-e lacquer on a brown nashiji ground, hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, aogai mother-of-pearl inlay, inkstone and bronze suiteki

The set comprises a bunko, or document box, and a suzuribako for writing implements. The two form a coherent ensemble through their decoration, techniques and subject: the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, known in Japanese as Chikurin shichiken.

Of Chinese origin, the theme depicts a group of third-century literati—poets, musicians and thinkers—who gathered in a bamboo grove away from the court. In Japanese art it belongs to the repertoire of literati subjects inspired by China, making it particularly appropriate for a set associated with writing, the storage of papers and the preparation of ink.

The exterior decoration shows the seven sages in a bamboo grove. The figures, rocks and landscape details are rendered in gold maki-e on a brown nashiji ground. The design combines hiramaki-e for the flat decoration and takamaki-e for the raised passages. Iridescent aogai mother-of-pearl appears in details including the bamboo. One sage holds a pale mother-of-pearl sheet bearing an inscription that may be a signature.

The interiors are also decorated. The undersides of the lids bear gold-lacquer landscapes with pavilions, rocks, trees and architecture. Bamboo ornaments the base of the large box and also appears inside the suzuribako, echoing the principal theme.

The suzuribako retains its inkstone and a fine bronze suiteki. Sculptural and relatively unusual within a writing set, this water dropper reinforces the scholarly and precious character of the ensemble.

The quality of execution is high: the nashiji is dense, the reliefs are well constructed and the mother-of-pearl is skilfully handled. The set combines the scholarly function of the boxes with refined decoration rooted in classical Chinese culture and interpreted through the Japanese taste for grand decorative lacquer.

Very good condition. Each box retains its original tomobako with an old inscription.

Bunko: 45 × 39 × 21 cm.
Suzuribako: 29 × 25.5 × 10 cm.