4th Nov, 2022 13:00

Fine Netsuke & Sagemono

 
  Lot 179
 

179

KOMA KORYU: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH LURKING SNAKE, SPARROW AND SNOWY BAMBOO

Sold for €8,450

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

By Koma Koryu, signed Koma Koryu 古満巨柳
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The four-case inro of upright rectangular form and oval section, superbly lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, with gold kirigane flakes, depicting a snowy landscape of tall, leafy bamboo stalks with clouds above and bamboo shoots below. A brown-lacquered sparrow (suzume) is seen descending through the dense bamboo forest on one side. The seemingly innocent, almost idyllic scene is betrayed by the swift flight of the bird; the reason for this is provided upon closer examination of the inro - when following the bamboo node cord runners on the side, a snake’s body appears, slithering across the underside to the other side of the cord runners, terminating at the top of the inro, where the snake’s head enters the frame above the flying sparrow, ready to strike. A truly ingenious composition, as the shape of the inro lends to the dramatic effect of the lurking snake. The top and bottom are attractively lacquered and inlaid in the Somada-style, providing a brilliant contrast to the snake’s thick body. The interior cases of nashiji with gold fundame edges. Signed to the underside in gold KOMA KORYU saku [made by Koma Koryu]. With a matching shibuichi and gilt ojime in the form of a leafy bamboo node.

SIZE 8.9 x 4.9 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear consistent with age and use.
Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. ’75.5327’.

Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related four-case lacquer inro by the same artist (Koma Koryu) depicting a snake attacking a crane sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part V, 5 November 2014, London, lot 143 (sold for 37,500 GBP). Note particularly the similarities in subject matter, the various lacquer tones used for the snake and bird, and the glass-inlaid eyes.

 

By Koma Koryu, signed Koma Koryu 古満巨柳
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The four-case inro of upright rectangular form and oval section, superbly lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, with gold kirigane flakes, depicting a snowy landscape of tall, leafy bamboo stalks with clouds above and bamboo shoots below. A brown-lacquered sparrow (suzume) is seen descending through the dense bamboo forest on one side. The seemingly innocent, almost idyllic scene is betrayed by the swift flight of the bird; the reason for this is provided upon closer examination of the inro - when following the bamboo node cord runners on the side, a snake’s body appears, slithering across the underside to the other side of the cord runners, terminating at the top of the inro, where the snake’s head enters the frame above the flying sparrow, ready to strike. A truly ingenious composition, as the shape of the inro lends to the dramatic effect of the lurking snake. The top and bottom are attractively lacquered and inlaid in the Somada-style, providing a brilliant contrast to the snake’s thick body. The interior cases of nashiji with gold fundame edges. Signed to the underside in gold KOMA KORYU saku [made by Koma Koryu]. With a matching shibuichi and gilt ojime in the form of a leafy bamboo node.

SIZE 8.9 x 4.9 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear consistent with age and use.
Provenance: Formerly the property of the Strong Museum, donated by Margaret Woodbury Strong (1897-1969), a prolific collector and founder and namesake of the museum. The interior of the bottom case with accession no. ’75.5327’.

Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related four-case lacquer inro by the same artist (Koma Koryu) depicting a snake attacking a crane sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part V, 5 November 2014, London, lot 143 (sold for 37,500 GBP). Note particularly the similarities in subject matter, the various lacquer tones used for the snake and bird, and the glass-inlaid eyes.

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