Rats Stealing Eggs Zeshin Inro

Shibata Zeshin four case inro.

L1

A good and rare four case tan lacquer Inro. The tan ground is decorated with three rats stealing eggs. One pulls the tail of another, which lies on its back holding an egg, the third is peering into the bowl of eggs. All in shades of gold, silver, and natural coloured takamakie with nashiji interior.

Signed: Zeshin (Shibata was his family name) probably an early work.
Provenance: Sotheby's 1971.
Dimensions: 7cm long x 5.8cm wide

Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) was one of the foremost lacquerers of the 19th century, who was also adept as a painter and wood-block-print designer. He studied lacquer under Koma Kansai II (see the Sambaso dancer inro L2).

Ojime: Crushed eggshell.

Netsuke: Wood Netsuke of a mouse eating a bean, the pod beneath him.  (NL1) 
Japan, late 19th century
Signed: Tomokazu, Gifu
Provenance: Tomkinson Collection.

Zodiac sign / Rat