Seven-piece inro

Japan, 19th century

Lacquered wood, takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, motif of chrysanthemums, dragonflies and water flowing through the landscape, ojime – cloisonné on a copper base; the netsuke is missing.

H: 8.5 cm, W: 4.5 cm

Signed “Kajikawa”

O 344

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.