A KAIAWASE

Shell hand painted at the inside surface, with the effigy of court characters wearing polychrome vests, on gold ground, partially relieved. These painted shells were used as a shell-matching game, the kaiawase, very popular pastime in the Edo period. Various scenes were painted on the inside as clues. Edo period.

Japan, 19th Century
dimensions 9,5 x 7,5 cm.
Conditions: good