A Two Case Coiled Dragon fighting Inro, Edo period (18th century)


Japan Edo period (1603-1868), early 18th century, Lacquerware circular inro
decorated in relief with two coiled Dragon on each face

Dragon with fiercely open mouth and flames issuing from its body on one side
on golden dragon and flames on other side
stunning work on the body of dragon winding through waves
with billowing crests, its face, claws and crisply incised 

Black lacquer ground with gold, red lacquer Hira and Takamaki on it
This circular inro has two compartments, the interior fully nashiji
The new cord goes in and out through a internal holes 

Lateral imitate cloud decor in Togidashi
for opening, the bottom case is slightly tight
Du to the age a few cracks, chipped lacquer on it as you can see on photograph  
Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides, 
This unusual example is modelled as a wagashi (traditional Japanese confection)
Diameter : 6.5 cm, Height 1.5 cm

 

INRO :
The inro is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional
Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men
wore the inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle).
rarely the entire body could be modelled in the form of another object.
 

Please study my photographs carefully 
They are part of item description
Bid with confidence, thanks for looking