A Four-Case Inro

SIGNED GYONEN NANAJU SAI TOJU [TOJU AT THE AGE OF 70] AND KAO, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Four-Case Inro
Signed Gyonen nanaju sai Toju [Toju at the age of 70] and kao, Edo Period (19th century)
Decorated in gold, silver, black and brown hiramaki-e and takamaki-e on a polished dark brown ground with Hotei leaning on his sack, the reverse with a scroll, fan and head of a gnarled staff in mother-of-pearl inlay, red lacquer interior, fundame rims
7.6cm. high

Exhibited

Japan - Lacquer which Crossed the Ocean, Exhibition, 28th October-13th November 2007, Hishio [The Centre for Cultural Exchange], Katsuyama, Okayama Prefecture

Bitchu Urushi and Lacquer which Crossed the Ocean, Exhibition, 8th-13th January 2008, Santa Gallery, Okayama City

Sale room notice

Please note that this lot contains mother-of-pearl. Prospective bidders should be aware that if they intend to import this lot into another country it may require a CITES permit. Bidders should therefore familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding.

Lot Essay

Active at the turn of the 18th-19th century, Toju is considered to be the most gifted of Iizuka Toyo's pupils and to have become his successor.1

1. E.A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists (Harehope, 1995), p.292

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