FOUR LACQUER INRO
JAPAN, EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY
The first five-case inro decorated in gold, silver and black takamaki-e with a wild goose flying amidst autumn flowers on a gold ground, nashiji interiors, signed Yoyusai on the base, attached enamel and lacquer netsuke with floral design; the second five-case inro decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirikane and cut fold foil, depicting the story of Shiba Onko, the reverse with castles amongst rocky mountains, all against a gold ground, nashiji interiors, a matching lacquer manju netsuke with similar design and a bead ojime, signed Hoshin to the reverse; the third three-case inro decorated in gold and red takamaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl with three birds flying towards a fruiting plant, against a sabi-ji (texture imitating rusty iron) ground, red lacquer interiors, signed Mitsunari on the base; the fourth three-case inro decorated in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl and silver foil with three horses against a nashiji ground, nashiji interiors, unsigned.
2 5/8 to 3 ½ in. (6.5 to 9 cm.) high