A very unusual lacquered wood saya inro

Signed Jo-o and a kao, late 19th / early 20th century
Height: 2 7/8 in. (7.36 cm.)
Width: 2 1/2 in. (6.37 cm.)
Depth: 1 in. (2.66 cm.)

Carved from sandalwood (shitan), the outer-sleeve is highly polished and fitted with two risers on either side carved from the same block, both sides similarly decorated in gold and silver hiramakie and takamakie with some details in nashiji, depicting sprays of water plantain (omodaka) and a stream; the sliding drawer is carved from the same wood, fitted with a silver leaf folded over four times; signed in gold lacquer "Jo-o" with a kao in red lacquer along one of the risers.

Jo-o is reputed to be the last inro artist of the famous Jokasai family. For further reading, see E.A. Wrangham, "The Index of Inro Artists" (1995), p. 98-99.

Provenance: Raymond and Frances Bushell

Condition: Very good; with fine cracks to two corners.

Ref. 1017321

Price on Request