THE JAPANESE COLLECTION

Ducks Inro

Toyo four case inro.

L25

A four case inro of ducks swimming and diving in a pond, the interior risers decorated with flowers.

Signed: Toyo
Provenance: W. Winkworth & M.T. Hindson collections, Christie's
Published: Item 352 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.7cm long x 5.3cm wide

The distinguished lacquerer Kanshosai Toyo lived in Edo during the late 18th century. Several descendants and pupils used the same name and the present example probably dates from the early part of the 19th century.

Ojime: Dark metal inlaid with stylised birds.

Netsuke: A lacquer netsuke in the form of a mandarin duck (oshidori) with mother of pearl inlay.  (NL25)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned