Octagonal lacquer Kobako (small box), Japan, Edo period, in the shape of a buriburi (children's toy), takamaki-e decoration of cranes in a landscape, and flower motifs in hexagonal cartouches, with box, w. 11.5 cm Provenance: Swiss private collection, assembled from 1932 to 1936 in Kobe (Japan). The collection was acquired under the mentorship of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), Honorary Consul of Switzerland to Japan in Kobe, director of Nestlé's Japanese subsidiary and an expert in Japanese art. The entire collection was inherited and has remained in the family ever since. A buriburi (children's toy) shaped octagonal lacquer kobako (small box), Japan, Edo period, with box, 11.5 cm long Provenance: private Swiss collection, assembled from 1932 to 1936 in Kobe (Japan). The collection was acquired under the mentorship of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), Honorary Consul of Switzerland to Japan in Kobe, director of Nestlé's Japanese subsidiary and an expert in Japanese art. The entire collection was inherited and has remained in the family ever since. General surface wear Wear to the gilding A few small cracks Some minor damage to the lacquer Overall wear to the surface Wear to the gilding Some minute cracks Some small lacks to the lacquer A collection of Japanese art The exceptional collection presented here bears witness to the refinement of Japanese art, notably through a selection of inrô and boxes carefully assembled in Japan between 1932 and 1936. It was assembled in Kobe by a Swiss collector living in Japan, who relied on the expert advice of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), then Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Kobe. A connoisseur of Japanese art, Champoud played a key role in the creation of this collection. Passed down by inheritance within the same family to this day, this collection reflects a passionate and erudite appreciation of the subtlety and richness of Japanese art.