A FINE SOMADA SCHOOL FOUR-CASE ‘SUZUMUSHI AND FALLING AUTUMN LEAVES’ LACQUER INRO

拍品描述

A FINE SOMADA SCHOOL FOUR-CASE ‘SUZUMUSHI AND FALLING AUTUMN LEAVES’ LACQUER INRO By a member of the Somada School, signed Somada 杣田saku 作 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The four-case inro of upright rectangular form and oval section, finely decorated in the characteristic Somada manner with minute inlays of iridescent shell and kirigane. One side is centered by a lobed reserve enclosing falling maple leaves rendered in gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e against a densely inlaid floral ground. The reverse depicts a suzumushi, or bell cricket, in gold and black takamaki-e on a similarly enriched ground. Both scenes are framed by scattered cherry blossoms and geometric aogai inlay. The rims and cord runners are bordered with a checkerboard pattern, while the top and base are decorated with interlocking medallions of stylized blossoms. The interiors are lacquered in nashiji with gold fundame rims. Signed underneath within a gold-lacquer reserve SOMADA saku [made by Somada]. HEIGHT 8.6 cm, LENGTH 4.5 cm The suzumushi or bell cricket is a beloved insect in Japan, iconic for its high-pitched, ringing chirp that signifies the arrival of late summer and early autumn. The ‘Somada’ technique was originally introduced from China and named after the Somada family of lacquer workers who made it popular in Japan. It is extremely demanding. Tiny slivers of iridescent shell are inlaid into black lacquer, often in complex geometric designs. During the late Edo and Meiji periods, the technique also included tiny inlays of gold foil, as seen on this example. The Somada family of lacquer artists was founded according to tradition by Somada Kiyosuke in the early 18th century and was located in Toyama, Etchu Province. For a comprehensive study of the Somada lineage, see Edward A. Wrangham and Joe Earle (eds.), The Index of Inro Artists, 1995, pp. 271-272. Auction comparison: Compare a related Somada school hexagonal lacquer three-case inro, dated 19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 November 2008, London, lot 352 (sold for GBP 8,880 or approx. EUR 16,500 converted and adjusted to inflation at the time of writing).

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