A lacquer inro with applications of metal flowers

A Japanese four-case lacquer inro by a member of Kajikawa family circa 19th century (late Edo to early Meiji period). It depicts a nocturnal scenery of a meandering stream surrounded by bush clovers, where a full moon is reflected on the water. It was masterfully decorated in gold and silver maki-e using a combination of techniques including takamakie, togidashi and kirigane as well as aogai (abalone shell) inlays. The stream was set between the slightly elevated banks, adding to this piece a already strong three-dimensional composition. The interior was decorated in gold nashiji. It was signed on the bottom "Kajikawa Zou" (made by Kajikawa and a pot seal centered with "Ei" in Kanji. In one of the compartment, there is a katakana mark, appears to be a name, possibly the owner. Kajikawa clan was one of the most famous lacquer artisanal family established in the 17th century. Many well known members over the generations produced lacquer art in a wide range of formats, but two third were signed only with the family name such as this one. It is therefore not possible to pinpoint the exact author of this piece. Provenance: This inro was purchased as lot 349 in Christie's New York sale Japanese...

A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate design with three unfolded fans on the front and two on the back: each reveals a vignette landscape scenery, likely real places in Japan. Using a combination of hiramaki-e and slight takamaki-e, the artist deftly created the pictures with fine details, rendering the inro as a miniature artwork...

Two compartments inrô in black lacquer, hira maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay on a hirameiji background, decorated with a bouquet of chrysanthemums in a small purse, a hoe on the other side, and a fluttering butterfly which can be found on both sides. The interior is in hirameiji lacquer. The ojime is a drum made out of black lacquer and ivory with a mother-of-pearl inlay. The Manjû netsuke...

Beautifull Inro of three compartments made in kinji lacquer with an hiro maki-e ornament chrysanthemum flowers of gold and silver lacquer. Inside is in fundame lacquer. Signed by J...

Inro with four gold lacquer boxes, decorated with a lake landscape. Accompanied by a bronze ryusa manju. Small boxes formed of compartments that fit one on top of the other, inro (? ?) are traditional Japanese clothing...

Beautifull Inro of three compartments made in kinji lacquer with an hiro maki-e ornament chrysanthemum flowers of gold and silver lacquer. Inside is in fundame lacquer. Signed by Josen Zo and stamped by Seisan Presented with an Ojime in metal in the shape of a chrysanthemum flower and with its netsuke representing two chrysanthemum flower buds. The chrysanthemum (kiku) in not only the heraldic symbol of the Japanese imperial family...

A fourpart Japanese lacquer Inro. the lacquer is red with motives of a spider with its web in gold and two flying cranes. The lowest part of the inro has a crack on one side.

Inrō with four boxes in black and gold lacquer, representing a person in a pavilion in a snowy landscape with mountain on the background. Realised in maki-e on black lacquer with sma...

A Japanese four-case inro with a stringed carved wood netsuke circa 19th century. The inro has a near square form with rounded corners, The surface is decorated with gold hiramaki-e ...

A Japanese three-case inro with stringed carved netsuke and bead ojime from early Edo period circa 17th century. The trio accoutrement is covered in red Negoro lacquer and displays w...