A black lacquer four-case inro in the form of an ink-cake, By Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), 19th century
90
A fine black lacquer four-case inro
By Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), Meiji Period
In the form of a rectangular ink-cake, carved in relief over the ishime ground on one side with the boy hero Yoko approaching a spreading pine tree and on the other with the large tiger that was terrorising his village, the boy's coat and the tiger painted gilt, signed in characteristic scratched technique Zeshin; with woven metal ojime in the form of a basket, unsigned.
6.7cm (2⅝in) high.
Sold for £56,450 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 楊香に虎（二十四孝）図古墨意匠印籠　銘「是真」 明治時代

    For a very similar example, see Japanese Inro from Private Collections, Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1972, no.17 and for another in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, illustrated by Joe Earle (ed.,) Meiji no Takara, Treasures of Imperial Japan, Shibata Zeshin, London, 1996, no.38.

    The subject of this inro is a reference to one of the paragons of filial piety, according to which, the fourteen-year-old Yoko accompanied his father to the mountains, where they were attacked by a tiger. Yoko managed to save his father by placing himself between him and the animal, overcoming the beast, and both survived.

Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art

Auction terms and conditions

Contacts

Suzannah Yip Bonhams
Work
101 New Bond Street
London, W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 7468 8368
FaxFax: +44 20 7495 5251
Specialist - Japanese Art