A very rare black lacquer two-case inro The inro by Koma Yasuaki, 19th century, the netsuke by Ikkyu, 19th century
Sold for £58,850 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistA very rare black lacquer two-case inro
Of wide form, bearing a roiro ground and inlaid in same (rayskin) with a Komodo dragon, the reverse lacquered with breaking waves in gold and silver togidashi, the interior of black lacquer with kinji edges, signed Koma Yasuaki; with a silvered-metal ojime in the form of a covered jar, unsigned and a wood netsuke of a crocodile holding a captured fish beside a large fugu over a tai fish and ray, the eyes inlaid with mother-of-pearl with black pupils, signed in an oval reserve Ikkyu. 7.6cm (3in), wide.
Footnotes
鰐図鱏皮蒔絵印籠 銘「古満安章作」 19世紀
Provenance: W. L. Behrens collection, no.1458.
Charles A. Greenfield collection, no.157.
Purchased from Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1990.
Wrangham collection, no.2005.
Published: O. Munsterberg, Japanische Kunstgeschichte, vol.II, Braunsschweig, 1907, p.357, no.314A.
H. P. Stern, The Magnificent Three, Lacquer, Inro and Tsuba, Japan Society, New York, 1972, no.70.
H. P. Stern, Birds, Beasts and Bugs, New York,1976, no.96.
A. J. Pekarik, Japanese Lacquer, 1600-1900, New York, 1980.
The Charles A. Greenfield Collection of Japanese Lacquer, Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1990.
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, p.323, Yasuaki, right column, top.
Exhibited: Japan House Gallery, New York, 1972.
Frederick S. Wright Gallery, University of California, Los Angeles, 1976.
Asia House Gallery, New York, 1977.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980.
Saleroom notices
Please note that the estimates for this lot are £25,000-30,000 and not as published in the catalogue. The design on this inro is taken from volume 2, Hokusai Manga, page 23 recto and page 24 verso.
