Lot 144
144
AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO
AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO
AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO
2 More
The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art
AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO

JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), SIGNED HIRATA HARUNARI (HIRATA HARUNARI)

Details
AN INLAID BLACK LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO
JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), SIGNED HIRATA HARUNARI (HIRATA HARUNARI)
The rounded rectangular body with a lustrous roiro ground lacquered in gold and silver takamaki-e with three tsuba (sword guards) scattered over both sides, with details inlaid in cloisonné-enamel decorated and finely worked in gold wire, the interior risers of plain nashiji, signed on one tsuba in gold hiramaki-e Hirata Harunari, with a cloisonné-enamel ojime decorated with scrolling foliate motifs.
2 ¾ in. (7 cm.) high
Provenance
F. A. Richards Collection, purchased at Sotheby's, London, 16 July, 1963.
Wrangham Collection no.227, with original collector's label.

Brought to you by

Zheng Ma
Zheng Ma Head of Department, Senior Specialist
+33 (0)1 40 76 83 67

Lot Essay

Harunari, eighth master of the Hirata lineage, worked during the early 19th century. The Hirata family had established a distinguished reputation for the manufacture of sword fittings, and Harunari was particularly noted for his accomplished use of cloisonné enamel (see previous lot) This inro exemplifies the harmonious combination of the two disciplines, illustrating both the sophistication of the lacquer tsuba and the remarkable delicacy of the enamel decoration.

More from Fine Asian Art

View All
View All