Inro with Crickets Among Basketwork Fragments, and Netsuke

Description A five part gold and black lacquer standard inro. The exterior of the compartments are decorated with stylized ferns ("shida"). The sheath with fragmentary basketwork of bamboo and two crickets ("suzumushi"), one on each side. The design on the compartments in gold "togidashi" on a "roiro" background. The design on the sheath in gold "hiramakie" of two different shades on a "roiro" background with "uju nashiji." The crickets are of silver metal in high relief. The interior is in "roiro" and "fundame." The interior of the cases in black lacquer. The cord channels are external. Together with a porcelain netsuke of Fukurokuju (the God of Good Fortune) decorated with red, blue, yellow and black overglaze enamels.

Exhibitions

• Netsuke: Miniature Sculpture of Japan. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1978.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] Kakosai none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters