A black-lacquer five-case inro
By Koma Bunsai, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th centuryOf upright form, the rich roiro ground lacquered with scattered maru-ni-mitsugashiwa mon of the Makino family of Tanabe among scattered formal flowerheads, in gold takamaki-e and zogan-nuri, the interior of nashiji with kinji edges, signed in a red gourd-shaped reserve Bunsai; with a gilt metal and enamel filigree ojime; unsigned. 9.5cm (3?in) high.
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Provenance:Edward Gilbertson Collection.R. A. Pfungst Collection.Demaree and Dorothy Bess Collection.Charles A. Greenfield Collection, no.205.Sold at Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1990.Edward Wrangham Collection, no.2001.Published:Harold P. Stern, The Magnificent Three, Lacquer, Netsuke and Tsuba, New York, Japan Society, 1972, inro no.30.A. J. Pekarik, Japanese Lacquer, 1600-1900, New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1980, no.45.E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Harehope, Northumberland, 1995, p.32, Bunsai, Koma, right.Exhibited:The Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1894, case XIII, no.31A.Japan Society Gallery, New York, 1972.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980.The technique used on the smaller mon is zogan-nuri, which simulates cloisonné enamel by applying fine gold or silver wire.