A gold-lacquer two-case inro with a gold-lacquer square ojime in form of a shamisen and a cherry wood netsuke

The inro probably by Komai Kansai II (1797-1857), Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century

The inro probably by Komai Kansai II (1797-1857), Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
The kinji ground decorated in gold takamaki-e and tetsusabi-nuri on both sides with sword fittings comprising: two tsuba, each embellished with autumnal plants and grasses, a kozuka rendered in black ishime lacquer simulating a shakudo nanako ground embellished with kusudama (string-decorated brocade balls), a pair of seppa and habaki, a kurikata and two menuki applied in shakudo high relief inlay, the interior of nashiji, signed Kansai with a kao; the shamisen ojime with the sides in mokume-nuri (imitating wood grain) and decorated with an open song book on the reverse and strings on the other, unsigned; the netsuke a natural section of cherry wood lacquered in gold hiramaki-e with a sprig of cherry; signed Joshu Hatazakura ni oite Toyo (Toyo at Hatazakura in Hitachi Province) with a kao. 6.2cm (2 3/8in) high.

Provenance:
Mike and Hiroko Dean Collection.
Purchased at Christie's, London, 12-13 July 2005, lot 142.