Pair Lacquer Maki-e Presentation Boxes Emperor Hirohito of Japan

A fine pair of Japanese lacquer presentation boxes with immaculate provenance, probably Shōwa era, given by Emperor Hirohito of Japan (1901-1989) and the Empress to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Eric Penn, GCVO, OBE, MC (British 1916-1993), a member of the British royal household and Comptroller in the Lord Chamberlain's Office from 1964 until 1981.

Each comes with a card handwritten by Sir Eric Penn confirming that the boxes were given to him during a state visit by the Emperor 5-8 October, 1971. The black lacquer box also includes a card from the Emperor and Empress of Japan, embossed with the Imperial Seal of Japan.

Measurements (each):
Length: 20cm (7.9in)
Depth: 10.5cm (4.1in)
Height: 5.3cm (2.1in)

Condition: Excellent. Near mint.

Note: Sir Eric Penn served the Queen with dedication for almost half-a-century; for twenty four years in the Grenadier Guards, appointed in 1963 as an Extra Equerry to Her Majesty, then becoming Comptroller in the Lord Chamberlain's Office from 1964 until 1981. Not only was he trusted implicitly by the Queen but they were also long-standing personal friends who had known each other in their younger days. He was brought up by his uncle, Sir Arthur Penn, one of King George VI's advisers, and subsequently the Queen Mother's treasurer and private secretary. He met the then Princess Elizabeth soon after he returned from Dunkirk in 1940. He married Lady Prudence (Prue) Penn in 1947, who herself was a loyal friend of Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret and lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother. (Obituary, The Times, May 15, 1993)