Lid of Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum, late 1800s-early 1900s. Japan. Lacquer over wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e); Both functional and elegant, this is a container for an ink stone, brushes, and ink from a set of writing tools that included a larger box for paper. Against a sleek gold lacquered ground, its artist has used restraint in sprinkled powder decoration (maki-e) to produce the design of cockscomb and harvested rice on the interior of the lid.