A black lacquer three-case inro
By Mizutani Shutoho, dated Horeki nensei (1751-1764), 18th century
Of rectangular form, simulating a Chinese ink-cake, bearing a roiro ground, each side with a sunken shibuichi-nuri ground with an ishime surface, one lacquered in gold takamakie with a flying dragon in a storm over breaking waves, the other with a two-line inscription in eight seal characters, the interior of black lacquer with kinji edges, signed Shutoho with seal Komuru; with an ebony netsuke in the form of an ink-cake, one side with a four-line inscription above a fruit floating above the waves, the other signed Zonjindo and Kohone (Chinese: ping shi).
7.9cm (3 1/8in).
Of rectangular form, simulating a Chinese ink-cake, bearing a roiro ground, each side with a sunken shibuichi-nuri ground with an ishime surface, one lacquered in gold takamakie with a flying dragon in a storm over breaking waves, the other with a two-line inscription in eight seal characters, the interior of black lacquer with kinji edges, signed Shutoho with seal Komuru; with an ebony netsuke in the form of an ink-cake, one side with a four-line inscription above a fruit floating above the waves, the other signed Zonjindo and Kohone (Chinese: ping shi).
7.9cm (3 1/8in).
Sold for
£27,500
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 古墨意匠龍図蒔絵印籠 銘「秋登甫 蒙（方印）」 1751-1764年頃（18世紀）
Provenance: Arthur Kay collection, no.648.
Janek Kahn collection, purchased at Sotheby's, London, 1965.
Wrangham collection, no.561.
The inscription on the inro is taken from the classic Chinese texts, I-Ching (Classic of the Changes). It transcribes:
飛龍在天 利見大人
(Hiryo no ten ni ariwa/taijin wo miru ni yoroshi).
And translates:
A winged dragon in the sky, it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
The Kanbun inscription on the netsuke are from the sayings Kego by Confucius and transcribes:
大如斗、赤如日、剖而食之舐如蜜
And translates:
As large as a dou (an ancient Chinese weight)
A ping shi (auspicious fruit) red as the sun
when slicing it and serving it,
tastes as sweet as honey.
Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art
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