Description

An exquisite Japanese gold lacquer Inro of boat scene with five compartments. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Underneath the bottom compartment is the artist’s signature, KAJIKAWA, with red chop. Inro (seal basket) are small decorative containers that hang from the waist. They originate at the end of the 16th century and were worn by men to hold seals and herbal or other medicines. By the 18th century, they became decorative accessories and were commissioned by the merchant class, provincial rulers and their samurai, and those that could afford them.

Date: Edo Period (1644-1868)

Dimensions: 4″ tall X 2.25″ wide