SIGNED TSUCHIDA SOETSU, EDO PERIOD (EARLY 18TH CENTURY)

Details

A SINGLE-CASE INRO OR TOBACCO BOX
Signed Tsuchida Soetsu, Edo Period (Early 18th Century)
Black lacquer ground with floral decoration also in black lacquer; decoration in gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with gold flakes (some missing); two imitation chysanthemum-shaped clasps of silver; compartment and riser gold nashiji; shoulder and rim gold lacquer; interior tray in similar techniques; signed in gold hiramaki-e underneath Tsuchida Soetsu with a kao (some old wear); stained ivory ojime

The whole in the form of a leather tobacco-pouch with silver clasps; the decoration consisting of chrysanthemums, birds and willow trees; the sides of the tray with chidori [wave-birds or dotterels]
23/8in. (6.2cm.) high

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

This is a rare instance of an inro bearing the signature of the important lacquer artist Tsuchida Soetsu (1660-1745) which certainly dates from his lifetime and may indeed have been decorated by him. See E.A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists (Harehope, Northumberland, 1995), pp. 269-70.

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