One-piece inro

Japan, 19th century

Lacquered wood and gold hiramaki-e, rectangular and fan-shaped cartouches, on the fan are two foxes with lanterns, a white ojime bead, netsuke in the form of a lacquered wooden box with gold hiramaki-e, floral motifs, and nashiji.

H: 4.5 cm, W: 6.5 cm / L: 11.7 cm

O 335

An inro is a box for holding small objects (usually medicines and a personal seal) that was hung on a cord with an ojime bead; a netsuke button was at the end of the cord. The inro was suspended behind an obi sash.