A black-lacquer five-case inro

By Koma Bunsai, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century

By Koma Bunsai, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
Of upright form, the rich roiro ground lacquered with scattered maru-ni-mitsugashiwa mon of the Makino family of Tanabe among scattered formal flowerheads, in gold takamaki-e and zogan-nuri, the interior of nashiji with kinji edges, signed in a red gourd-shaped reserve Bunsai; with a gilt metal and enamel filigree ojime; unsigned. 9.5cm (3¾in) high.

Provenance:
Edward Gilbertson Collection.
R. A. Pfungst Collection.
Demaree and Dorothy Bess Collection.
Charles A. Greenfield Collection, no.205.
Sold at Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1990.
Edward Wrangham Collection, no.2001.

Published:
Harold P. Stern, The Magnificent Three, Lacquer, Netsuke and Tsuba, New York, Japan Society, 1972, inro no.30.
A. J. Pekarik, Japanese Lacquer, 1600-1900, New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1980, no.45.
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Alnwick, Northumberland, Harehope Publications, 1995, p.32, Bunsai, Koma, right.

Exhibited:
Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1894, case XIII, no.31A.
Japan Society Gallery, New York, 1972.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980.

The technique used on the smaller mon is zogan-nuri, which simulates cloisonné enamel by applying fine gold or silver wire.