AN IMPRESSIVE LACQUER SUZURIBAKO DEPICTING TEKKAI SENNIN Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of rectangular form with canted edges decorated in red and gold hiramaki-e with evenly spaced sinuously coiled dragons, the cover in black and gold takamaki-e depicting Tekkai Sennin looking upwards, holding a gnarled staff, and carrying two double-gourds on his back, all on a roiro ground, the interior of the cover with a monkey seated on a rocky outpost above crashing waves, looking up at the tree on a cliff above him, all beneath a half-full moon and against a black and gold nashiji ground repeated to the interior of the box fitted with two small compartments for writing utensils as well as a rectangular inkstone, signed Nakamura Chobei with a kakihan, and a shaped gilt copper water dropper depicting a clam and crashing waves. With a wood hakogaki (storage box) with inscriptions: Hakogaki to storage box: “Makie, On-suzuribako, Ji kuro sennin no zu” [Makie lacquer, suzuribako, with the design of an immortal on a black background]. SIZE 4.5 x 20.8 x 23 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear. Provenance: British collection.