Inro Lacquer Japan Urushi Edo Decor Forest Maki-e Gold XVIIIth Century

Inro in Japanese urushi lacquer, opening with 5 boxes and a cover, with a decoration of a forest in gold Maki-e *. Fundame matt gold lacquer background. Interior in Nashiji lacquer. Period late eighteenth early nineteenth. Normal wear, see photos. Maki-e (絵, literally: "dotted painting", or "sprinkled image") is a form of lacquer art practiced in Japan. The lacquered surface is sprinkled with gold or silver powder, using a makizutsu or a kebo brush. The technique was developed primarily in the Heian period (794–1185) and flourished in the Edo period (1603–1868). Maki-e items were originally designed as interior items for court nobles. They quickly gained popularity and were adopted by royal families and military leaders as a symbol of power. Dimensions thickness 2.7 cm Length 9 cm by 5 cm Reference: G10 160 All photos are on: www.antiques-delaval.com