A black-lacquer broad two-case inro

By Tatsuke Takamitsu, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century

By Tatsuke Takamitsu, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
The rich roiro ground lacquered in gold takamaki-e with highlights of kirikane, with a flying ho-o bird in flight on one side, its feathers continuing on the reverse above stylised kiri (paulownia), the interior of roiro with kinji edges; signed Tatsuke Kokyo kore o ga, gyonen hachijusai (Tatsuke Kokyo painted this at the age of 80). 7.6cm (3in) wide.

Provenance:
Michael Tomkinson Collection, no.1048.
Sold at Sotheby's, London, 1972.
Edward Wrangham Collection, no.1143.
Purchased in these rooms, 15 May 2012, lot 231.

Published:
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Alnwick, Northumberland, Harehope Publications, 1995, p.282, Takamitsu, Tatsuke, bottom row left.

Kokyo was one of the art names used by Tatsuke Takamitsu whose style of work often deviated from that of the classic Tatsuke family.