Long box in Japanese urushi lacquer, peonies in maki-e gold powder

This Japanese urushi lacquer box, with its elongated and slightly curved lines, is decorated with a superb, very fine and detailed peony and grass motif made in taka maki-e with gold powder, a complex and extremely sophisticated technique of lacquer relief, obtained by superimposing thickened layers before the application of metallic powders. The interior is entirely decorated with nashiji, a precious technique of sprinkling fine particles of gold into the lacquer to create a discreet shimmering effect.

The piece bears the signature 平安象福造 (Heian Zoshuku-zō), the name of a workshop established in Kyoto and active at the end of the Meiji period (1868–1912) and during the Taishō period (1912–1926). Specializing in the production of ornamental lacquerware, this workshop is distinguished by the finesse of its traditional decorations and the quality of its finishes. This type of long box, called tanzakubako, was intended to hold tanzaku, these thin vertical strips of paper on which poems or wishes were calligraphed. Today it can hold letters, photos or small objects, for example.

This antique piece (probably from the late Taishō period, which lasted from 1912 to 1926) is carefully preserved, showing wear consistent with its age and use, with some scratches and chips. There is a small chip on the front right edge of the lid, as well as very light surface marks.

It comes with its original wooden box (tomobako), signed inside the lid, guaranteeing its authenticity.

A rare object due to its size (nearly 40 cm long) and the quality of its execution, this box demonstrates the traditional know-how of Japanese urushi lacquer and gold powder decorations at its highest level.