Nishimura Hikobei VIII (1887-1965) and Segawa Shoryu (active early 20th century), A Zohiko lacquer ryoshibako [document box] and suzuribako [writing box] ensuite, Meiji – Showa period, late 19th – early 20th century | 象彦（八代西村彦兵衛）瀬川嘯流　義家奥州征伐蒔絵料紙硯箱　明治～昭和時代　19世紀後半～20世紀前半

the ensuite set of ryoshibako and suzuribako each finely decorated in gold, silver, black, white, red and brown hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, keuchi, mura-nashiji, kimpun, kirikane and inlays of gold, silver and mother-of-pearl on a black lacquer ground, silver outer rims, fundame inner rims, the ryoshibako with flush fitting cover depicting Minamoto no Yoriie on horseback and his retinue, the sides with two warriors on horseback, one shooting an arrow at combatant archers, the armour details spectacularly rendered in relief, inset eye details, the interior of the cover with a flock of geese in flight above rolling hills, pine and grasses, the suzuribako with two warriors carrying bows and arrows on horseback before a large pine tree, the warriors and horses with inset eyes, the interior of the cover with two courtly women in Heian period dress sitting in a room beside a veranda of a mansion residence, two mandarin ducks beside young pine and a meandering stream, the design continuing onto the interior of the base with the stream passing by a moored boat among rockwork and a long tailed pheasant, signed Shoryu and kao [cursive monogram], fitted with an inner tray further continuing the design, ink slate with fundame rims and silvered and gilt water dropper in the form of moss-covered rocks, with matching set of two brushes, paper knife, paper pricker and ink cake holder mounted in patinated silver decorated with bamboo grass crests (sasa mon) on a dense nashiji ground and mounted in fine shakudo nanako, accompanied with two fitted wood storage boxes

15.7 x 35.5 x 43 cm. (the ryoshibako)

5.3 x 23.5 x 26.5 cm. (the suzuribako)