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THIS NICE INRO IS DECORATED WITH THREE ROUND MEDALLIONS WITH APPLIED GOLD ACCENTS. UNUSUAL METAL CORNERS AND ORANGE OGIME (BEAD).
BEAUTIFUL AND DELICATE IN ITS APPEARANCE, THE INRO WAS A VALUABLE AND NECESSARY ITEM IN JAPANESE CULTURE.
THE INRO WAS THE PRINCIPLE ACCESSORY WORN BY MEN. IT ORIGINATED AS A BOX FOR HOLDING A WAX SEAL WITH SECTIONS LATER ADDED TO CARRY INK AS WELL. IN THE LATE 16th OR EARLY 17th CENTURY, THE INRO WAS FURTHER DIVIDED INTO AS MANY AS 5 OR 6 CASES OR COMPARTMENTS. AT THIS POINT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INRO THEY BECAME FUNCTIONAL FOR CARRYING MEDICINES, DRUGS AND OINTMENTS AND HUNG FROM THE OBI (BELT) OF THE JAPANESE KIMONO. ALTHOUGH FRAGILE IN APPEARANCE, LACQUER HAS ALWAYS BEEN APPRECIATED FOR ITS QUALITIES OF DURABILITY AND STRENGTH.
TO STOP THE WOVEN SILK CORD FROM SLIPPING, A SMALL TOGGLE WAS ATTACHED TO THE CORD KNOWN AS A "NETSUKE" WHICH MEANS "ROOT FOR FASTENING".
THE BOTTOM OF THE CASE HAS SIGNATURE IN JAPANESE SCRIPT.
THE CASE MEASURES 1 3/4" LONG (CLOSED) AND 1 1/2" WIDE.
THE CONDITION IS VERY GOOD WITH SOME MINOR LOSS TO THE GILT DECORATION (SEE PHOTOS).
We at Antiques & Moore have been in the Antiques business for over 30 years and try to describe our items as accurately as possible. Although all sales are considered final, if there is an error in our description or a problem with our item, we will issue a full refund of the purchase price if contacted within 3 days after receipt of the item, however, please note that we cannot refund shipping charges. We are happy to answer any questions and always appreciate your business!