A SUPERB RITSUO-STYLE LACQUERED WOOD SUZURIBAKO... Lot n° 29

A SUPERB RITSUO-STYLE LACQUERED WOOD SUZURIBAKO DEPICTING A BOAT WITH A HARVEST OF SEASHELLS Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The rectangular box with a fine grain decorated with superb gold and mitsuda (pewter) takamaki-e, further embellished with aogai and masterful ceramic inlays for the seashells. The fishing boat with a single upright oar laden with shells of various kinds, finely glazed and textured, the bow of the boat with slats in gold hiramaki-e, floating down a river with a meandering current. The cover’s interior decorated with seashells and seaweed, and the box with a bell-shaped suzuri (ink stone) and rectangular waterdropper. SIZE 24.3 x 20.5 x 6 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear. Provenance: Grace Tsumugi, London. Collection of James and Christine Heusinger, acquired from the above, the interior with an old collector’s note. James and Christine Heusinger started collecting Japanese art in the late 1970s. Their collection began with a modest piece by Seifu Yohei III and expanded to over 100 pieces. They donated the majority of their pieces to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which now houses the most important collection of ceramics by the Seifu Yohei studio. While their collection was mostly focused on modern Japanese ceramics, they also had a fondness for lacquer, purchasing select pieces from noted dealers such as Grace Tsumugi and Sharen Chappel. With a fitted tomobako box inscribed with label in Japanese. Auction comparison: Compare a related Ritsuo-style wood bunko (document box) decorated with a similar motif with ceramic-inlaid shells and an anchor, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 17 March 2021, New York, lot 594 (sold for USD 27,812). Compare a related polychrome glaze ceramic iremono (box) and cover in the form of seashells, attributed to Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo), at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 4 June 2021, Vienna, lot 94 (sold for EUR 13,904).