A SUPERB AND RARE MOON-SHAPED LACQUER SUZURIBAKO WITH LUNAR HARE Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The suzuribako (writing box) in the shape of the full moon with one straight edge, the domed cover decorated with gold nashiji clouds with some larger kirikane flakes and smaller sparsely sprinkled gold flakes around and inside the design, the design extending to the sides of the cover, all against an attractive silverish ground. The inside of the cover shows a brilliant gold takamaki-e moon rabbit depicted in mid-jump. The interior fitted with a tray to hold the original ink stone, which is set inside a nashiji lacquer frame, and with two original paintbrushes lacquered in black with gold flakes. The underside and entire interior of beautifully dense nashiji lacquer. SIZE 24 x 21.7 x 3.5 cm Condition: Very good condition with minimal surface wear and expected wear to lacquer. The cover with some crackling to the edges and the underside with surface scratches. Provenance: Ex-collection Claudio Perino, a collector with a keen interest in Japanese, Chinese and Far Eastern cultures. His collection consists of over 2000 works of art, partly loaned to the Museum of Oriental Arts (MAO) in Turin, Italy and to the Museo delle Culture (MUSEC) in Lugano, Switzerland. An exhibition of Kakemono scroll paintings was on view in the MUSEC until end of April 2021. The design of the suzuribako is very clever, as it utilizes the shape of the box, already hinting at the possible presence of the lunar hare, which is of course located in all its splendor on the inside cover. This popular motif originates in China, where the rabbit is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her.