AN INRO WITH AND SCRATCHED SIGNATURE ZESHIN.

AN INRO WITH AND SCRATCHED SIGNATURE ZESHIN.

Japan, 19th c. Height 8 cm.

Four case inro decorated with threeleaf arrowhead (omodaka) and creeping woodsorrel (katabami) in gold and coloured takamakie, kirigane, and some aogai on silver ground. Small details like butterflies delicately engraved (kebori). Signed with small scratched characters: Zeshin.

Provenance: Old private collection. By repute purchased at Sotheby Parke Bernet, June 1978, lot 183, ex. collection M. Birch.
For a similar object see: Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, London, South Kensington, 10 November 2010, lot 399.