11th Sep, 2025 11:00
The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers Part 1
137
A SUPERB MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INLAID WOOD KURA (SADDLE), EDO PERIOD
This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve
Sold for €3,120
including Buyer's Premium
Published: Jean-Paul Desroches (ed.) et al, Two Americans in Paris: A Quest for Asian Art, Paris, 2016, p. 234, no. 370.
Exhibited:
1. Pointe-à-Callière Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Montréal, 17 November 2016-19 March 2017.
2. Kimbell Art Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Fort Worth, Texas, 4 March-19 August 2018.
Japan,17th-18th century. Of kurabane type, the riding saddle fitted with two igi (wood side boards), maewa (pommel) and shizuwa (cantle) of yamagata (highly-seated; 'mountain-shaped') form, the pommel with the two umi ('sea') and iso (shore') registers almost evenly constructed, low-shouldered tegata (hand-shaped) indentations carved to each side, bearing a densely sprinkled aogai (abalone shell) nashiji ground.
Inscriptions: Signed with kakihan [artist’s cursive monogram] to the underside.
Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: Good condition with wear and manufacturing irregularities. Nicks, scratches, and some stains. Expected losses and flaking to inlays, some with associated touchups.
Dimensions: Size 39 x 27.3 cm
Such shell inlay, or raden was used in Japan since the Nara period (645 - 794) introduced from Tang China. It was very fashionable during the Heian (794 - 1185) and Kamakura (1185 - 1333) periods, and then again found favor when it was re-discovered in the 16th century in the Kingdom of Ryukyu, South of Japan. Although made some centuries before the word Nanban was coined in Japan, such work is indicative of the admiration felt in Japan for overseas technology, and this piece might be said to typify the manner in which it was improved on in Japan.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related aogai-nashiji lacquer kura, Edo period, circa 1750, in the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 11 May 2015, lot 4
Price: GBP 43,750 or approx. EUR 79,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A medieval gunjin-gura (campaign saddle) with chrysanthemum motif, Kamakura period, 13th century
Expert remark: Compare a related, earlier, kura with similar mother-of-pearl inlay and form. Note the size (43 cm).
Published: Jean-Paul Desroches (ed.) et al, Two Americans in Paris: A Quest for Asian Art, Paris, 2016, p. 234, no. 370.
Exhibited:
1. Pointe-à-Callière Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Montréal, 17 November 2016-19 March 2017.
2. Kimbell Art Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Fort Worth, Texas, 4 March-19 August 2018.
Japan,17th-18th century. Of kurabane type, the riding saddle fitted with two igi (wood side boards), maewa (pommel) and shizuwa (cantle) of yamagata (highly-seated; 'mountain-shaped') form, the pommel with the two umi ('sea') and iso (shore') registers almost evenly constructed, low-shouldered tegata (hand-shaped) indentations carved to each side, bearing a densely sprinkled aogai (abalone shell) nashiji ground.
Inscriptions: Signed with kakihan [artist’s cursive monogram] to the underside.
Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: Good condition with wear and manufacturing irregularities. Nicks, scratches, and some stains. Expected losses and flaking to inlays, some with associated touchups.
Dimensions: Size 39 x 27.3 cm
Such shell inlay, or raden was used in Japan since the Nara period (645 - 794) introduced from Tang China. It was very fashionable during the Heian (794 - 1185) and Kamakura (1185 - 1333) periods, and then again found favor when it was re-discovered in the 16th century in the Kingdom of Ryukyu, South of Japan. Although made some centuries before the word Nanban was coined in Japan, such work is indicative of the admiration felt in Japan for overseas technology, and this piece might be said to typify the manner in which it was improved on in Japan.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related aogai-nashiji lacquer kura, Edo period, circa 1750, in the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 11 May 2015, lot 4
Price: GBP 43,750 or approx. EUR 79,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A medieval gunjin-gura (campaign saddle) with chrysanthemum motif, Kamakura period, 13th century
Expert remark: Compare a related, earlier, kura with similar mother-of-pearl inlay and form. Note the size (43 cm).
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