Antique Japanese Netsuke Sagemono Inro Set Edo Period, 3-Tier, Lacquer, Coins For Sale

This antique Japanese Edo Period inro box set is a charming collector's piece in good condition. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves small luxuries, miniatures, or Asian craftsmanship. Originally designed as small cases for medicine, seals, or small valuables, an inro set hung from the obi (sash) of traditional robes as a sign of wealth, style, and individual artistic taste.This inro is solid wood, carved and fitted in three pieces to make two, tightly closing compartments. It opens well and slides back together tightly and without problems if handled as intended. It is carved from a very dark wood and hand decorated with black lacquer work. On one side is an incredibly delicate painting of a woman in traditional robes who is holding a lit stick of incense. She may be a geisha, though her features are more naturalistically depicted than is common in some bigin-ga art. In the fine features of her face and hair, she may have been painted with a brush made of a single hair. The lacquer on her robes, and body has a soft, metallic sheen, with a deeper, orange-golden sheen on her robes. We hesitate to describe it as maki-e gold lacquer, as it is very subtle, but it offers richness to the design. The artist's signature chop-mark appears in the top right of this painting, and is the same orangeish golden color as the robes. The other side depicts an amusing, more loosely painted snail on gnarled bamboo. It has a jaunty, good-humored appearance, down to its tiny sliver of a mouth, perhaps .5mm wide. A second signature chop mark appears at the bottom, and likely indicates a second artist's work. In Edo culture, this snail would have symbolized self-sufficiency (carrying one's home on one's back), patience, wisdom, and even hinted at the snail's mythical ability to grant wishes.The wooden ojime bead is simple sphere, about 1.2cm, that appears to be made of the same wood as the inro. It has a hand-carved flower around the hole on each end.In place of a traditional netsuke are two weathered coins that appear to be of the Edo period (a one monand a four mon). The final piece is a smooth, hefty, deep brown bead made of a very large bean or seed, possibly of the modama vine, common to the Amami islands of Japan. It has a soft gleam and we consider it very pleasant to hold.The brown cotton cord of the inro and ojime is in good condition and tightly fitted to the box. The cord that holds the coins and large seed appears to be new and is of an unknown material. It is likely that both cords are not original to the piece. It is also likely that the both beads and the coins are not original.

Packaging
We pack every item with respect and meticulous care. This set will be wrapped with an inner wrap of acid-free tissue paper to prevent scratching, then foam or bubble wrap, then a crush-resistant box or double boxing, with additional void packaging to prevent movement in transit.

Returns

We spend a great deal of time and effort to accurately describe every item listed. Prior to offerding or purchasing, please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions, and please obtain any appraisals or second opinions on items you are interested in. Golden Grove Atelier listings include detailed photos and may include video. Please carefully read descriptions and condition information, and examine the images carefully prior to offerding or purchasing.

• We do not accept returns for condition issues we have shown in images or mentioned.
• We strive to have every photo color-match the item as closely as possible, but all video displays are different, and exact color is not guaranteed for this reason.
• Most of our listings are vintage or antique; some are over 200 years old. This means items are not returnable or eligible for partial refunds due to wear, patina, or small flaws consistent with the item's age, period, or purpose of use.
• Listings sold "As Is" are not eligible for return or partial refund
• We do not accept returns due to additional international shipping costs, tariffs, customs fees, or delays.
• We do not sell on approval or accept returns due to change of mind.

If it is determined an item is eligible for return all items must be shipped back within 5 days of return initiation, with all packaging included, and the item or lot in the condition in which it was received. We carefully document the packaging and shipping process to ensure accurate records, and include security features to protect your purchases.

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