'INRO' Japanese Lacquered Carved Box for Medicine

See file for full details. (Ethnic Group: Japanese). Extract: Ground work - silver lacquered to represent wall plastered with mud (broken away in places to show laths). Circular panel gold lacquered, egg shell finish, representing window. Figure is that of Indian Buddhist Priest Daruma, famous for propagation of his religion in China in about 900 A.D. Body carved of ivory. Costume cinnabar lacquer, with scores of layers. Vines: dried lacquer work, leaves of gold, silver, brass, ivory, tortoise shell, mother of pearl, copper and cinnabar lacquer. Reverse: String of balls (juzu), a prayer counter. (Amber, jade, wood). Small red bead on tassel is coral. Brush (hosso) - used by Buddhist priest to clear away the dust of the world (red lacquer, ivory). Information from Mr Neil Davey, Japanese expert, Sotheby's London, per Ann Roberts (Australian consultant). Dates from C19th, probably koma school, depicting Daruma meditating, "extremely \ good" example. Conservative valuation 1200-1500. Suggested valuation for insurance 2500.

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