Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
What is a Japanese inro?
1 Answer
A Japanese inro is a small case, usually of lacquer or wood. They were used as personal storage cases, holding important small items, such as a personal seal. Japanese clothing did not have pockets, so inro were hung at the waist, and used like a wallet.
Lotus GalleryMarch 17, 2021
Shop More furniture from Lotus Gallery on 1stDibs
Japanese Rinpa School Lacquer Box with Autumn Flowers, Tebako, Edo Period
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Japanese Rinpa School lacquer box for personal accessories, te-bako, featuring a dense design of autumn flowers and grasses, Edo Period, early to mid 19th century, Japan.
Th...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Silver, Pewter, Gold Leaf
Japanese Meiji Bronze Vase with Auspicious Animals, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
An impressive Japanese cast and parcel gilt bronze vase with auspicious animals, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The striking vase heavily cast and of flattened and modified balust...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Prince Shōtoku at Age 16, Kōyō-Zō Hanging Scroll, Edo/Meiji Period, mid 19th c
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and beautiful Japanese Buddhist devotional kōyō-zō painting of the revered Prince Shōtoku at the age of 16, mineral pigments and gilding on fine silk, silk brocade mounting, h...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Materials
Gold Leaf
Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Letter Box, Fubako, Edo Period, mid 19th c
Located in Austin, TX
A striking and powerful Japanese maki-e lacquer fubako, box for letters, with hawk, cherry, and Fuji, late Edo Period, circa 1850, Japan.
The cover of the fubako wonderfully worked ...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Framed Silk Embroidered Panel with Foo Dogs, circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
A fun and attractive Chinese coral silk ground, couched stitch, silk and metallic thread embroidered panel with foo lions at play, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, circa 1...
Category
Vintage 1910s Chinese Qing Textiles
Materials
Metallic Thread
Chinese Giltwood Horizontal Panel, Carved Auspicious Wedding Frieze, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive and auspicious Chinese Chaozhou carved, pierced, and gilt wood horizontal panel, early 20th century, Southern China.
Most likely from a wedding bed, the frieze is full...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
French Art Nouveau Ecole de Nancy Marquetry Side Table, Chrysanthemums, c 1900
By Ecole de Nancy
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and charming French Art Nouveau marquetry wood side table with a design of chrysanthemums, Ecole de Nancy (School of Nancy), Nancy, France, circa 1900.
The side table of...
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Fruitwood, Oak, Burl
