A JAPANESE LACQUER LETTER BOX (FUBAKO) AND TWO SMALLER BOXES, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

A JAPANESE LACQUER LETTER BOX (FUBAKO) AND TWO SMALLER BOXES
MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)
The letter box of long, rectangular form, rounded corners and flush-fitting cover, decorated overall in gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, hirame and applied gold foils with a flower cart containing peonies, chrysanthemum, irises, narcissi, maple and blossoming plum branches, the sides with young pines amongst rocks; all set against a sprinkled-gold ground in cloud patterns (mura-nashiji) on a black lacquer base, the interior with butterflies, silvered copper fittings pierced and engraved with aoi mon; the box containing a presentation letter from the Mayor of the City of Yokohama to H.R.H The Duke of Gloucester, on the occasion of his visit in 1929, to confer the Order of the Garter on the Showa Emperor, ink and colour on paper; together with two lacquer boxes decorated in gold, silver and red hiramaki-e against black lacquer grounds with bamboo and cherry blossoms
40.8 cm. (16 in.) long (the fubako)
23.8 cm. (9 3/8 in.) long (each box)

Pre-Lot Text
Property from T.R.H. The Dukes of Gloucester