A silver ground four-case inro By Shiomi Masanari, 19th century
276
A silver lacquer four-case inro
By Shiomi Masanari, 19th century
Of wide form, bearing a rogin-nuri ground and lacquered in delicate sumie-togidashi with a swimming carp, beneath an overhanging pine branch on one side, the reverse similarly embellished with three tiny water-spiders gliding just beneath the surface of the calm, rippled water beneath a pine branch, the design continuing over the top case, the interior of red lacquer with roiro risers and kinji edges, signed in a red lacquer reserve Shiomi Masanari.
7.6cm (3in).
Sold for £17,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 松に遊鯉図蒔絵印籠　銘「鹽見政誠」　19世紀

    Provenance: Paul Corbin collection.
    Purchased from J. M. Gueneau, Paris, 1971.
    Wrangham collection, no.1135.

    In Japan, the carp (koi) is the fish most commonly used for decorative purposes as a symbol of vigour, endurance, perseverance, and power; and for centuries the Japanese have held it up to their youths as an example for emulation. They taught their boys this old Chinese Confucian parable of the student striving to pass the Imperial examinations; the carp that succeeded in leaping a waterfall and making the ascent of the river became a dragon (koi no taki nobori). Parents strongly impressed upon them the idea that as this fish overcomes all the obstacles of the river, so they must surmount all the difficulties and trials of life if they would become the 'human dragon'.

Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art

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