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Lot 228
A lacquer four-case inro By Tatsuke Toshihide after a design by Maruyama Okyo, 19th century
15 May 2012, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £3,500 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistA lacquer four-case inro
By Tatsuke Toshihide after a design by Maruyama Okyo, 19th century
The mura-nashiji ground lacquered in gold hiramakie, togidashi and e-nashiji with a continuous design of five crayfish, the interior of plain roiro lacquer, signed beneath the crayfish in stylised script Okyo with seal Okyo, the bottom case signed Toshihide with seal Tokei; with glass bead ojime. 7.2cm (2 13/16in).
The mura-nashiji ground lacquered in gold hiramakie, togidashi and e-nashiji with a continuous design of five crayfish, the interior of plain roiro lacquer, signed beneath the crayfish in stylised script Okyo with seal Okyo, the bottom case signed Toshihide with seal Tokei; with glass bead ojime. 7.2cm (2 13/16in).
Footnotes
蝲蛄図蒔絵印籠 銘「寿秀 東渓(方印)」「應挙 應挙(方印)」 19世紀
Provenance: purchased from Spink and Son Ltd., London, 1994.
Wrangham collection, no.2060.
The crayfish is associated with longevity and good fortune and as such items decorated with this symbol are especially popular at New Year. Their form is thought to resemble the bending of the human frame in old age. The implied message in their depiction is to wish the owner or the recipient a prosperous long life.
























