A rare brown lacquer three-case inro
By Yamada Jokasai and Yosei, 19th century
Of wide form, bearing a rich dark brown ground, lacquered and inlaid with a prancing horse in silhouette in gold takamakie and inlaid aogai, the reverse with five formal characters representing the five sacred Daoist mountains of China (wu yo), in tsuishu-nuri, the interior of black and matt gold lacquer, signed Jokasai and Yosei tsukuru; with copper ojime inlaid in silver takazogan with a wind-blown peony, unsigned.
7.6cm (3in), wide.
Of wide form, bearing a rich dark brown ground, lacquered and inlaid with a prancing horse in silhouette in gold takamakie and inlaid aogai, the reverse with five formal characters representing the five sacred Daoist mountains of China (wu yo), in tsuishu-nuri, the interior of black and matt gold lacquer, signed Jokasai and Yosei tsukuru; with copper ojime inlaid in silver takazogan with a wind-blown peony, unsigned.
7.6cm (3in), wide.
Sold for
£32,450
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 馬に中国五大山表象図蒔絵螺鈿印籠 銘「常嘉斎」「楊成造」 19世紀
Provenance: W. L. Behrens collection, no.465.
E. Evelyn Barron collection.
M. T. Hindson collection.
Michael Birch collection, purchased at Sotheby's, London, 1980.
Wrangham collection, no.1473.
Published: the International Netsuke Society Journal,
vol.17, no.1, p.33, fig.5, where the origins of the design are also reproduced as figs.2, 3 and 4.
The design of the reverse is taken from Chengshi Moyuan by Cheng Dayue, 'A compendium of Chinese ink-cake designs', published in 1606. The symbols are also reproduced in Fang shi mopu, 1588; and in Kokon Gaso, first published in 1770.
The five sacred montains of China are identified as:
Tai shan in Shantung
Hua Shan in Shensi
Heng Shan in Chili
Heng Shan in Hunan
Tai Shi in Honan.
Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art
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