A three-case inro. 19th century - image-1
A three-case inro. 19th century - image-2
A three-case inro. 19th century - image-1A three-case inro. 19th century - image-2

Lot 550 Dα

A three-case inro. 19th century

Auction 1124 - overview Cologne
07.12.2018, 13:00 - Japan II - Armour, Netsuke, Inro, Sagemono incl. The Papp Collection II
Estimate: 4.000 € - 4.800 €
Result: 13.125 € (incl. premium)
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A three-case inro. 19th century

Signed in the top compartment: Koma Kansai and Kikihan
With concealed cord runners. Yamimaki-e on both sides. Decorated with eight insects in very fine, partly detailed relief, including a praying mantis, four glow-worms and three grasshoppers on a very fine-leaved fern. The inside in wakasanuri style. The ojime of faceted rock crystal.
Height 6.3 cm

The black relief on a black background, 'black on black' as Raymond Bushell calls it in his book 'The Inro Handbook', is a very rare technique. On the one hand difficult to execute, on the other hand not so popular, because the exquisite skills of the artist are not revealed at first sight. A distinction between Koma Kansai I, II and III is very difficult, but the desire for technical perfection inherent in this piece speaks more in favour of the II Master.

Provenance

Collection Alain Legrand, Paris, sold at Drouot, 14.12.1951
Private collection, Paris
Private collection, Rhineland, acquired at Klefisch, Cologne, 11/12.10.2013, lot 883

Literature

Compare: Bulletin Association Franco-Japonnaise, no. 5, Juni 1984, p. 24 ff.
Compare: Wrangham Index, p. 113