5-piece inro, lacquerware. Japan, early 19th cent.
The well-rounded form of this five-piece inro (four-levels and a lid) are distinctive for the lacquer master. The depiction is rendered with plenty of gold in takamaki-e (raised sprinkled-lacquer) and forms the holy mountain Fujisan on one side, in perfect symmetrical upswing. In the foreground, one of the five lakes in its vicinity, with sailing boats and fishing-huts as well as pine trees at the shore. On the opposite side, a similar allocation, however, with a cock, hen, two chicks, bamboo and chrysanthemums at the front. Fuji in the background is shown here in a more arbitrary form. Fine, dense work in perfect maki-e technique, all levels with red-golden nashiji on the inside. Signed on the base NI-KO-SAI (Nikkosai), which would literally translate to “studio of the shinning sunâ€. Good condition!
HEIGHT 8,5 CM
From a German private collection