A four-case inro lacquered in togidashi with two deer and pine trees 19th century
A gold lacquer five-case inro
By Koma Kansai, after a design by Mori Sosen, 19th century
Of upright form, bearing a subdued kinji ground, lacquered in sumie and silver togidashi with a stag and doe grazing on a hillside on a moonlit evening, the reverse with an old pine tree beneath the full moon in similar style and the interior of nashiji, signed Sosen hitsu, Koma Kansai saku; with gold lacquer ojime decorated with a ichimatsumoyo (chequered) design, unsigned.
9.5cm (3¾in).
Sold for £17,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 満月夜に鹿図蒔絵印籠 銘「古満寛哉作」「祖仙筆」 19世紀

    Provenance: Edward Gilbertson collection.
    R. Harari collection sold at Sotheby's, London, 1974.
    Purchased from Grace Tsumugi, London, 2007.
    Wrangham collection, no.2264.

    While there are a number of inro recorded whose designs have been taken from paintings by well-known artists, there are comparatively few that have been influenced by Mori Sosen (1747-1821), who first studied Kano School painting but was later considered a member of the Shijo School.

Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art


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