UNSIGNED, EDO PERIOD (MID-19TH CENTURY)

Details

A four-case inro
Unsigned, Edo Period (Mid-19th Century)
Lenticular with integral himotoshi, black lacquer ground, decoration in cut gold foil, mother of pearl and shell, with various geometric, brocade and abstract designs in Somada style, compartments and risers in gold nashiji, with wood manju decorated in coloured lacquer depicting childrens toys, minor inlay loss
3½in. (6.3cm.)

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

This inro is decorated in the style of shell inlay associated with the Somada, a family of lacquer artists traditionally said to have been founded in the early eighteenth century by Somada Kiyosuke, who learned the technique in Nagasaki, Edo period Japan's window onto contemporary China. Somada ware is characterised by intricate inlay of iridescent shell with tiny pieces of gold and silver foil laid flush with the ground which is usually black lacquer.

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