Maki-e lacquer tobacco box with young pine design, including brazier and container

This Japanese tobacco box is an intricate lacquerware set featuring decorative maki-e gold lacquer work depicting a young pine design. The set is designed as a portable, open-topped carrier with a high, arched handle, which facilitates the transport of smoking equipment.

Included within the lacquered box are two primary components: a ceramic brazier, intended for charcoal to light tobacco, and a lidded container for storing tobacco leaves. Both the brazier and the tobacco container are decorated with vibrant, multicolored patterns, contrasting with the refined black and gold lacquer finish of the outer carrier. The design reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics, specifically employing the maki-e technique, which involves sprinkling fine metal powder, such as gold or silver, onto wet lacquer.

The entire assembly sits within its original wooden storage box, which retains historical paper labels. The set measures approximately 27.7 cm in height, 15.2 cm in length, and 24.7 cm in width. It previously belonged to the Ugo Alfons Casal collection and was held at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts.