Japanese lacquered inrō with engraved tortoiseshell and aogai, Edo period, late 17th–early 18th century

A Japanese inrō (inro) from the Edo period, late 17th–early 18th century, with four compartments and a lacquered lid . The piece features two large reserves , one on each side, inlaid with tortoiseshell carved in low relief with a landscape design. The base is made of burgau mother-of-pearl (aogai) , cut and assembled in a wave pattern , used to represent a body of water integrated into the landscape.

The interior is finished with nashiji lacquer and gold lacquer .

The set is mounted with an agate ojime . The netsuke is a bako-netsuke (box netsuke) in the shape of a tobacco pouch , featuring an aogai design, with a clasp adorned with a coral oni head .

For comparison, an inrō of similar typology (work combining lacquer and inlays) is preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acc. no. 29.100.768 .

Dimensions

Height: 7 cm .