A rare iron inro in the form of a kabuto (helmet)

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
The shallow rounded bowl overlaid with silver ridges and surmounted by a silver tehen kanamono in the form of a chrysanthemum, the fukigaeshi (turnbacks) applied with gilt rain dragons and the maedate (forecrest) in the form of an oni (demon), the outer top edge of the helmet applied with three silver foliate crests, the underside fitted with a hinged clasp which lifts to reveal within two removable drawers, with an iron ojime and an iron netsuke in the form of a stirrup decorated with the same foliate mon; unsigned. 7.3cm (2 7/8in) diam. (3).

Published:
Sagemonoya, Sagemono & Netsuke, Tokyo, 1995, p.15, no.15.
Tobacco and Salt Museum, Netsuke: Te no hira no naka no geijutsu (Netsuke: Art in the Palm of the Hand), Tokyo, Benrido, 1995, p.134, no.466.