A magnificent gold-lacquer kodansu (small cabinet) with ensuite stand

A magnificent gold-lacquer kodansu (small cabinet) with ensuite stand
Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1870-1880
Of standard form with hinged door opening to reveal within three drawers, the kinji ground lavishly decorated with a continuous design in gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, e-nashiji and kirikane with scenes of autumnal plants and flowers comprising susuki (pampas grass), fuyo (rose mallow), hagi (bush clover), kuzu (kudzu vine) and ominaeshi (valerian), the front embellished with butterflies hovering over flowering kiku (chrysanthemums) bordered by a simulated mokume (wood-grain) band, two sides with a pair of quails on the banks of a meandering stream, the reverse with a wagtail foraging for seeds, the drawers similarly lacquered with tanchozuru (red-crested cranes) in flight and standing beneath flowering branches on a rich nashiji ground, the top surmounted by a handle in the form of a silver wire basket containing an arrangement of gold-lacquered blooms comprising three hydrangeas and a lily, the corners fitted with engraved silver mounts, all raised on a detachable tall four-legged square stand lacquered with repeated stylized butterflies and flowers over a chequered roiro-kirikane ground; unsigned. The kodansu: 16.7cm x 19cm x 13.5cm (6 9/16in x 7½in x 5¼in); the stand: 9.5cm x 20.6cm x 14.5cm (3¾in x 8 1/8in x 5¾in). (5).