An exquisite 19th century lacquered box covered in gold and containing a silver water-dropper and ink stone coated in powdered gold enclosed in a red lacquered wooden box titled Ryuko-Maki-e Go-Shoken (Small Ink Stone with Bridge and Willow Design). On the lid a bridge arcs over delicate waves, leaves bursting fresh on the willow in the foreground. Cherry blossoms in kiri-gane gold cling tremulously to the yet bare branches of Sakura trees, and birds soar under clouds of inlayed gold above. Inside the box is entirely covered in nashiji powdered gold. The interior of the lid features bamboo and what appears to be wild Chrysanthemum (Ya-giku). The box is 14 x 15.3 x 3.2 cm (5-1/2 x 6 x 1-1/4 inches) and is in perfect condition. It comes enclosed in a fine wooden box with gold writing protected by silk pillows.
