THREE PIPECASES
late edo period (19th century), the second signature illegible, the third signed gyokumei
Of musozutsu type, the first of wood with dark burl, carved at the rim, and forming the himotoshi, with a small monkey with a thin, extended arm trying to catch the reflected crescent of the moon inlaid in lead, the second of black lacquer carved in sunken and raised relief with a stream, tree trunk and weeds, the knots of the tree and dew drops of inlaid soft-metal, with gilt-metal rim ring and himotoshi, the third of bamboo in a rattan pattern inlaid in horn and metal with a goose flying over grasses, the rim shibuichi with gilt himotoshi
8in. (21.6cm.), 8in. (22.3cm.), 8in. (21cm.) (3)