Project Description
A Rare Boxwood Two Case Seal Box with En Suite Netsuke, Ojime and Seals by Hidari Issan (Iwashiro, 1804-1857)
Decorated on one face with a wild looking tiger, its eyes with characteristic inlaid dark pupils, ringed with gold; the verso with a monkey hanging from a branch attempting to catch the shell inlaid reflection of the moon from the river below. The small lower case contains vestiges of seal paste, while the upper compartment houses 3 seals, two of ebony, roughly carved, one with a crab, the other a snail, the third of soapstone surmounted by a toad. The ojime is a nut carved with the bumbuku chagama. The square hako-netsuke is carved as a basket filled with mulberry, ginkgo and maple leaves, containing a small ink paste container with sliding cover, and an L-shaped piece of wood, the function of which is unclear. A brocade cover with is threaded with the inro cord is undoubtedly original
The inro, netsuke, ojime and seals are all signed. Circa 1850
The inro 5.2 cm
MR5076
