UNSIGNED, IN SOMADA STYLE, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

A FOUR-CASE INRO
Unsigned, in Somada style, Edo Period (19th Century)
Black lacquer ground; the entire surface minutely inlaid in shell and gold foil with a variety of geometric and stylised floral grounds which change at the divisions between the compartments; sides and borders to the ends gold lacquer; compartments and risers red lacquer; shoulders and rims gold lacquer; gold lacquer ojime
33/8in. (8.5cm.) long

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

The Somada family of lacquer artists is 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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