AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH AN OWL AND GOURDS

AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH AN OWL AND GOURDS

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

Of upright rectangular and oval section, bearing a matte black lacquer ground, finely worked in gold takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, as well as inlays of raden (mother-of-pearl) and aogai (iridescent shell), to depict a continuous image of a straw mat and leafy gourds issuing vines, an owl (fukuro) perched on top of the longest gourd which extends to the other side. The interior compartments of nashiji and red lacquer, and with gold fundame rims.

With a fluted glass ojime and a wood kagamibuta netsuke with a shibuichi plate worked in gold nonume-zogan.

HEIGHT 6.7 cm, LENGTH 5.4 cm

Condition: The inro in good condition with surface wear and rubbing to lacquer, a few tiny nicks, and minuscule losses to inlays. The netsuke with nicks and dents to the bowl and losses to the zogan inlay.