Lot Essay
Ito Masatoshi contributed elaborate metal inlays to a number of lacquer inro recorded by Wrangham1.
1 E.A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists (Harehope, Northumberland, 1995), p. 166
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SIGNED MASATOSHI (TOKYO, 1845-1908), MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)
Details
A FOUR-CASE INRO
Signed Masatoshi (Tokyo, 1845-1908), Meiji Period (Late 19th Century)
With gold kinji lacquer ground embellished with gold powder; decoration in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and foil mosaic with shell details, waterfall, birds and figure in iro-e relief; compartments and risers gold nashiji; shoulders and rims gold lacquer; signed on a rectangular silver plaque on the reverse Masatoshi tsukuru [made by Masatoshi]
On one side Shaka (Sakyamuni), the historical Buddha, holding a staff as he descends barefoot from the mountains after spending seven years in meditation, an eagle perching on his left arm; on the reverse an eagle flies down to a mountain torrent
3in. (9.4cm.) long
Signed Masatoshi (Tokyo, 1845-1908), Meiji Period (Late 19th Century)
With gold kinji lacquer ground embellished with gold powder; decoration in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and foil mosaic with shell details, waterfall, birds and figure in iro-e relief; compartments and risers gold nashiji; shoulders and rims gold lacquer; signed on a rectangular silver plaque on the reverse Masatoshi tsukuru [made by Masatoshi]
On one side Shaka (Sakyamuni), the historical Buddha, holding a staff as he descends barefoot from the mountains after spending seven years in meditation, an eagle perching on his left arm; on the reverse an eagle flies down to a mountain torrent
3in. (9.4cm.) long