THE JAPANESE COLLECTION

 Hoitsu

Cherry Comb.

A gold lacquer comb decorated in hiramakie and with cherry fruits formed from inlaid coral.

Signed: Yoyusai
Also signed: Hoitsu hitsu (this is for Sakai Hoitsu, an 18th century painter, from which the design was taken), hitsu meaning "drew".

Japan, 19th century
Provenance: Michael Dean 1981
Design ref: Hoitsu (1722-1845)
Dimensions: 10.8cm long x 4.5cm.

Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845) was a prolific worker and had a large workshop, It is likely, therefore that a number of pieces that bear his name were made in his workshop, under his guidance.

(Hoitsu's brush ie the design taken from a painting by Hoitsu).