PROPERTY OF A LADY

A Fine Four-Case Inro depicting Animals of the Zodiac
Edo period (19th century)
The four-case inro decorated in gold, silver and red hiramaki-e [low-relief lacquer], takamaki-e [high-relief lacquer], kirikane [applied cut gold leaf] and inlays of mother-of-pearl on a polished black lacquer ground, and inlaid with twelve animals of the zodiac in a rural landscape with a small thatched dwelling, a plum and peach tree, bamboo and rocks, the animals finely carved from various metals including gold, silver, shakudo, copper and gilt and comprising:

A dragon in clouds
A cockerel in a plum tree
A tiger amongst bamboo
A dog
A rat on a radish
An ox
A monkey in a peach tree
A running boar
A tethered horse
A goat
A hare amongst grasses
A snake

Nashiji interiors and risers, fundame rims, attached wood netsuke lacquered black to simulate an ink stone, silver ojime carved with a baku (mythical creature)
7.9cm. high

Provenance:
Michael Tomkinson Collection no. 1063

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.