Page 252 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

INRO

313 | A FINE LACQUERED THREE-CASE SAYA 314 | A RARE AND ELEGANT THREE-CASE
INRO WITH MATCHING MANJU NETSUKE LACQUER INRO INSPIRED BY
BY UEMURA ENSHU KANO YASUNOBU (1796-1846)

By Uemura Enshu, signed Enshu Inscribed Seisen’in Hoin with kao
Japan, 20th century, Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei period (1989) Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The outer sheath beautifully decorated with coarse brown lacquer, A three-case inro lacquered in gold, silver and red takamaki-e
simulating tree-bark, and lacquered with sprigs of leaves with depicting a chirping bird perched on a cherry blossom branch,
kirikane flakes and shell highlights. The slender three-case inro on the reverse showing a carnelian branch, all set on a beautiful and
the inside, is decorated with a stunning design of three owls on elegant wood ground with a fine grain. Dense nashiji covering the
top of each other, their staring eyes inlaid in gold with shell details. risers and inside. Gold lacquered inscription on the inside of the lid
They are surrounded by kirikane flakes and the reverse with an reading Seisen’In Hoin with red laquer kao – referring to a painting
owl in flight amongst leaves, with vertically spread out wings, the from Kano Yasunobu, whose art name was Seisen and who inspired
featherwork masterfully executed. Both sides made with hiramaki-e many inro makers and lacquerers throughout the 19th century.
and togidashi-e and the underside with a chequered design and
signed ENSHU ㋵Ή. The inside compartments with dense gold HEIGHT 7.8 cm
nashiji.
Condition: Miniscule losses to lacquer painting and very minor wear
The manju netsuke consisting of two parts and depicting a squirrel, HEIGHT (inro) 7.2 cm, DIAMETER (manju) 4.2 cm along the edges. Very good condition.
with a bushy tail and large glaring eyes, nibbling on orange and Provenance: German private collection.
shell-inlaid fruits. The reverse with signature ENSHU ㋵Ή. Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private collection. Estimate EUR 1.200,-
The composition of the inro and matching netsuke is designed to Starting price EUR 600,-
reflect the life in a tree – the owls are living inside the tree and the Estimate EUR 2.000,-
squirrel is in the crown of the tree nibbling on fruits. Starting price EUR 1.000,-

315 | A LACQUERED FOUR-CASE INRO
WITH IMPERIAL HORSE
Unsigned
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A relatively large four-case inro decorated on one side with a horse
lacquered in silver, red and gold takamaki-e, one hoof raised, and
its head turned to the right, trying to break free, as it is tied to a tree
on the other side. The horse is wearing an ornate saddle, decorated
with gold takamaki-e with floral depictions and kikunogomon, the
imperial seal of Japan used by the emperor and the imperial family.
The matte lacquer of the horse is beautifully contrasting to the
shimmering gold takamaki-e of the saddle, the gold takamaki-e
trees and the sprinkled gold nashiji at the base of the inro. The
ground is lacquered to simulate tortoiseshell. The inside with gold
fundame.
HEIGHT 9 cm, WIDTH 6.2 cm

Condition: The ground of
the side of the horse is
possibly slightly re-painted.
A little wear around the
edges. The lacquer work
generally in very good
condition.
Provenance: Austrian
private collection.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-

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