Page 150 - Bonhams May 2017 London Fine Japanese Art

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A NEGORO-STYLE LACQUER SUTRA BOX A RECTANGULAR RED-AND-BLACK-LACQUER INRO-DANSU
Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century (STORAGE CABINET FOR INRO)
The rectangular box with hinged cover supported on 12 cloud-form Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
bracket feet and with a metal clasp in the form of a butterfly and Of conventional form, decorated with simulated tsuba and kozuka
numerous other metal fittings, the exterior finished in red lacquer in gold and silver and coloured takamaki-e and hiramaki-e imitating
slightly worn in places revealing the black-lacquer undercoat, the metalworking techniques, the interior of the door black lacquer,
base and interior brown lacquer, inscribed on the base Amida-dera similarly embellished with three arrowheads, with a detachable drop-
(Amida Temple) and with a date Genki sannen (Genki third year, 1572); front and six numbered drawers applied with silvered-metal knops
with a wooden storage box. in the form of chrysanthemum blossoms with silver ring handles, the
14.2cm x 36cm x 23.8cm (5 5/8in x 14 1/8in x 9 3/8in). (2). inside of each drawer lined in velvet and fitted with four compartments,
unsigned; with a wood storage box.
£1,500 - 2,000 29cm x 34.6cm x 22.5cm (11 3/8in x 13 5/8in x 8 13/16in). (3).
JPY210,000 - 280,000
US$1,900 - 2,500 £6,000 - 8,000
JPY830,000 - 1,100,000
US$7,400 - 9,900

The simulated sword-fittings depicted on this lot are decorated with
a typical selection of popular motifs, figures and subjects, including
Chokaro sennin, Hotei, Shoki the Demon-Queller suduing a demon
and sparrow dance from the story of the Shitakiri suzume (Tongue-Cut
Sparrow). The kogai and three tsuba bear the signatures of the famous
metalworkers, Toshinori, Gekkosai, Konzan and Taizan Motozane. For
other examples of such boxes, conventionally attributed to Shibata
Zeshin, see Joe Earle and Tadaomi Goke, Meiji no Takara: Treasures
of Imperial Japan, Masterpieces by Shibata Zeshin, London, Kibo
Foundation, 1996, cat. no.72, signed Zeshin; and Oliver Impey and
others, Meiji no Takara: Treasures of Imperial Japan, Lacquer Part II,
London, Kibo Foundation, 1995, cat. no.210; see also Barbra Teri
Okada, A Sprinkling of Gold: The Lacquer Box Collection of Elaine
Ehrenkranz, Newark NJ, Newark Museum, 1983, cat. nos.33, 34).

148 | BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.