SIGNED NIKKOSAI, EDO PERIOD (EARLY-MID 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Four-Case Inro
Signed Nikkosai, Edo Period (Early-Mid 19th Century)
Lenticular with integral himotoshi; the cover and top three cases with gold lacquer ground, the lowest case with black lacquer ground densely sprinkled with fine gold powder; decoration in gold, aokin, silver, red and black hiramaki-e with gold and silver foil; compartments and risers gold nashiji, shoulders and rims gold fundame; signed with gold hiramaki-e characters on the base Nikkosai; silver and gold ojime carved with floral designs
One side with Ebisu holding a fan, his fishing-rod at his feet, a fan in his right hand, his left hand gesturing at a carp lying next to a basket in front of him, the reverse with Daikoku with his sack and mallet, dancing to the rhythm of a drum held in his left hand; the lowest case with takaramono [auspicious objects associated with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune], the cover with a band of stylised cloud
3 5/8 x 2¼in. (8.7 x 5.7cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

According to Wrangham, this lacquerer worked in the style of Kakosai Shozan, often using metalwork inlay; Wrangham's own collection includes an example with a design featuring Ebisu and Daikoku.1

1 E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists (Harehope, 1995), pp. 199-200

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