AN ELEGANT INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH CAMELLIA BLOSSOMS

AN ELEGANT INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH CAMELLIA BLOSSOMS

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Of upright rectangular form and oval section, bearing a lustrous roiro ground, finely worked in gold takamaki-e, as well as kirigane and inlays of wonderfully iridescent aogai, to depict to the front a blossoming camellia on a branch with dense foliage, the branch extending to the verso with lesser leaves and a single bud growing to the top, alluding to the arrival of spring. The interior compartments lacquered red and black with gold fundame edges. With a stone ojime.

HEIGHT 8.4 cm, LENGTH 6.7 cm

Condition: Good condition with minor typical wear and losses, particularly along the edges of the cases. A small nashiiji repair near the camellia bud and and a few scattered losses to the gold lacquered leaves. Typical minor losses to kirigane flakes.

Museum comparison:
Compare a related black lacquer inro with similar inlays, by Sakai Hoitsu, in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA), accession no. 11.10073.