Shibayama inrô

A superb three-case saya 鞘 (sheath) inrô 印籠 (tiered case for seals or medicine) of upright rectangular form with softly arched corners, embellished with intricate Shibayama inlay.

Each side is adorned with a mokkô-shaped 木瓜 (melon-form) cartouche set against a gold lacquered ground surrounded with a scattered kirigane 切金 (cut gold foil) pattern. One side displays a graceful cherry tree 桜 (sakura) in full bloom, with blossoms inlaid in glimmering white mother-of-pearl 螺鈿 (raden), offset by red buds and green leaves. A small songbird is perched on a large branch, inlaid in high-raised raden. At the base of the tree, wild asters 野菊 (nogiku) bloom across a hilly terrain.

The reverse features a tree growing diagonally from a cliff, bending over rippling open water, where it is surrounded by flying plovers 千鳥 (chidori), delicately inlaid in white abalone.

The lacquer work is executed in a refined combination of hiramaki-e 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer), takamaki-e 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer), and kirigane in varying tones of gold with silver and subtle polychrome details.
The inner cases are finished on the outside with matte gold fundame 粉溜地 lacquer, their tops and bottoms decorated with an en-suite kirigane pattern and three tiny cherry blossoms on top. The interiors are finished in rich reddish-gold nashiji 梨子地 (gold-speckled lacquer).

The piece is unsigned and comes complete with a black lacquered wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box).

Period: Japan – Meiji period (1868–1912)
Dimensions: Height 10.2 cm; Width 7.1 cm; Depth 2.2 cm

In a very good condition with minor wear conform age, including minor expected losses to the kirigane, expected superficial scratches to the interior compartments from sliding use. Please refer to the photos for a detailed condition reference.

When shipped, we will include a certificate of authenticity.