Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid/late 19th century The exterior of both the suzuribako and ryoshibako decorated with an identical design of chrysanthemum blossoms interwoven among foliage lacquered in red, gold and silver hiramaki-e enclosed within a wide band between one half of the surface executed in predominantly fine rich gold nashiji and the other half of black lacquer sprinkled with details of sparse keuchi and e-nashiji, the design extending over the sides of the boxes, the interior of the suzuribako embellished in mura-nashiji and fitted with an interior removable tray containing the suzuri (ink-grinding stone) and silver suiteki (water-dropper) in the form of two plum blossoms, the interior of the ryoshibako also of rich mura-nashiji, both unsigned; both accompanied by an inscribed wood storage box. The ryoshibako: 11.5cm x 38.2cm x 29.2cm (4½in x 15in x 11½in); the suzuribako: 4.2cm x 23.5cm x 22cm (1 5/8in x 9¼in x 8 5/8in). (9).