JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), SIGNED HIRATA HARUNARI (HIRATA HARUNARI)

Harunari, eighth master of the Hirata lineage, worked during the early 19th century. The Hirata family had established a distinguished reputation for the manufacture of sword fittings, and Harunari was particularly noted for his accomplished use of cloisonné enamel (see previous lot) This inro exemplifies the harmonious combination of the two disciplines, illustrating both the sophistication of the lacquer tsuba and the remarkable delicacy of the enamel decoration.