Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Private & Iconic Collections and House Sales specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

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.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Japanese Art
- Private & Iconic Collections and House Sales