A gold-lacquer three-case inro

By Toju, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century

By Toju, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
The fundame ground decorated in gold, silver and iro-e takamaki-e with mura-nashiji highlights, depicting a large crane standing with wings outstretched, surrounded by three karako (Chinese boys), one proffering a bowl filled with seeds to the bird on one side, another karako and an old man, each holding a fan, while butterflies flit around them on the reverse, the interior of rich nashiji, signed on the base Toju with a kao; with a red-stained wood ojime. 8.4cm (3½in) high.

Provenance:
Sold at Christie's, London, 1966.
Edward Wrangham Collection, no.701.
Purchased in these rooms, 15 May 2012, lot 282.

Published:
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Alnwick, Northumberland, Harehope Publications, 1995, p.292, far right.

The subject depicted is said to be a parody of the Noh play Shojo (The Drunken Spirit).