A two case bamboo inro and a Buddhist sharito netsuke

18TH CENTURY

Details

A two case bamboo inro and a Buddhist sharito netsuke
18th Century
Decorated in iroe hiramakie and kirigane with two cranes, the himotoshi and ring in metal, the ojime with a crane beside a tree, cracks and chips; and another decorated in gold hiramakie on a nashiji ground with the bonji character Amida, a lotus flower, clouds and leaves, the inside revealing a miniature model of a sharito (reliquary) with glass, metal and semi-precious stones, metal rings
2¼in. (2.7cm.) and 2¼in. (5.8cm.) high respectively (2)

Lot Essay

The bonji character of Amida represents great mercy and sympathy. The reliquary is made to contain shari, which is small pieces of gemstones, supposed to be found amongst the ashes after the cremation of a Buddhist saint or famous priest.

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