Lot 61
61
A Japanese gilt-brass mounted shitan wood watch (INRO-DOKEI)
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus bu… Read more
A Japanese gilt-brass mounted shitan wood watch (INRO-DOKEI)

LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details
A Japanese gilt-brass mounted shitan wood watch (INRO-DOKEI)
Late 19th century
The curved rectangular case with brass panel to the top and glazed brass bezel, the front plate engraved with leafy branches, pierced brass chapter ring with silvered centre and pierced and blued steel hand, the single chain fusee movement with verge escapement and plain balance with pierced and engraved bridgecock, with backplate with balance regulation scale and engraved with floral branches, with cord terminating with an engraved brass drum-shaped netsuke, opening to reveal a compass and sundial, red and gilt lacquer bead ojime
The watch -- 2¾in. (7cm.)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The form of the watch case is that of an Inro (herb or medicine) container. This is worn attached to the sash of a kimono by a cord secured by an Ojime (keeper) and at the end is a Netsuke (fob). In this instance the Netsuke forms a sundial and compass which can be used to set the time of the watch.

An Inro-dokei of closely related design, and probably this example, is illustrated in Tardy French Clocks The World Over, Part IV, Paris, 1985, p.588.

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