Anonymous

Meiji/Taisho period 19th/20th century

1868-1926

Kobako

A Hakone yosegi zaiku marquetry Kobako (incense box) in the form of a chest. Finely cut wood pieces worked into patterns and inlaid into a surface of larger wood sections cover the chest with gold highlighted edges. Inside a large removable tray with four small boxes are inserted. Different incense would be housed in the boxes. The inner lid is worked in gold lacquer plants, flowers and insects on black ground.

Yosegi zaiku is a centuries-old art and crafts tradition that started in the Edo period and settled in Hakone town of Odawara City in the Western Kanagawa Prefecture.  

Unsigned

Size 250mm x 190mm x 100mm