Page 77 - 2019 September 11th Bonhams Lewis Collection Japanese and Korean Art NYC

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STYLE OF SHIBATA ZESHIN (1807-1891)
A lacquer tonkotsu (tobacco container) in the form of an ink
cake
Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Of rectangular section with internal cord-runners, the entire surface
covered in black lacquer carved to resemble a chipped, antique
Chinese ink cake, decorated on one side with the characters Horodai
(Precious Dew Tower) in a central reserve surrounded by a frieze of
ancient musical instruments and other motifs, on the other side light
emanating from a ceremonial vessel spouting auspicious clouds
and an impressed seal Kan, with signature on the base in scratched
characters Zeshin utsutsu (Copied by Zeshin)
3 7/8in (9.8cm) high

$15,000-20,000
For a tonkotsu of very similar design, see Nikkei Inc., ed., Edo Chic/
Meiji Technique: The Art of Shibata Zeshin featuring the Edson
Collection, Tokyo, Nikkei Inc., 2009, pl. E-28, p. 50

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF DRS. EDMUND AND JULIE LEWIS | 75