Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Japanese Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Inro, Meiji Period, late 19th c, Japan

About the Item

A good Japanese carved cinnabar three case inro with mixed metal ojime, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The three case inro of standard form, comprised of three container sections and a cover, strung on a red silk cord, and secured with a mixed metal ojime bead. The inro carved all over in a dense geometric pattern of octagons, each with a carved blossom in the center, and rhombuses to the corners. This pattern is based on a brocade pattern, called kikko, representing longevity. The octagonal shape is thought to resemble the patterning of a tortoise shell. Tortoises are symbols of longevity in Japan. The interior compartments of the case with a maki-e lacquer nashiji ground for the risers, vermillion red lacquer for the compartment interiors, and a gold lacquer ground, fudame, for the rims and shoulders. The mixed metal ojime slide of cylindrical shape with a checked pattern of mixed metals. This pattern is also based on a brocade pattern, and is known as ichimatsu. Inro are a uniquely Japanese object. Because traditional Japanese kimono do not have pockets, inro were developed to hold personal seals, medicine, and other small items. They were hung from the obi, and secured with netsuke and ojime. While functional, they also served as symbols of status, wealth, and power. Inro were almost certainly the inspiration for the small vanity cases, necessaires, that were developed and popularized in the Art Deco period.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 0.63 in (1.61 cm)
  • Style:
    Meiji (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    late 19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In overall good condition, with some dark staining to the recesses. The silk cord a later replacement. The ojime tarnished. Minor wear to the gold lacquer shoulders and rims, exposing the black lacquer below.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894734933952

More From This Seller

View All
Small Japanese Lacquer Duck Incense Box, Kogo, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan. The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Stacking Incense Box, Ju-Kobako, Meiji Period, Mid 19th century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite small Japanese maki-e lacquer stacking box for incense and accessories, ju-kobako, late Edo or early Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. Crafted in maki-e lacquer an...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Silver

Japanese Lacquer Accessories Box, Tebako, Brocade Design, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine Japanese lacquer tebako, box for personal accessories, in the form of rolled bolts of brocade fabric, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan. The box is whimsically shap...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Softwood, Lacquer

Large Japanese Lacquer Document Box, Ryoshibako, Edo/Meiji period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and magnificently decorated Japanese lacquer document box, ryoshibako, signed Umeboshi/Baikyo, late Edo or early Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The large document box, ryoshibako, of tall, rectangular shape with rounded corners, and fitted with an inrobuta (flush-fitting) cover with beveled edges. The exterior of this exquisite box is decorated all over with fifteen different raised reserves shaped as uchiwa (paddle) fans against a lush and intricate krikane ground imitating shagreen. The uchiwa shaped reserves all of takamaki-e, and exquisitely painted with designs of animals, flowers, and landscapes in silver, gold, maki-e, hiramaki-e, and takamaki-e, with kirikane, nashiji, and polychrome embellishments, upon gold lacquer fudame grounds. The interior of the lid is nothing short of spectacular, featuring a large design of a magnificent and beautifully detailed rooster and hen with chicks gathered around a lazy stream. Large stalks of chrysanthemum bloom behind them. All against an ethereal nashiji ground. The cover of the box features five reserves: 1. Three minogame (turtles with long tails), symbolizing longevity 2. "Narihira Crossing the Sumida" from The Tales of Ise...
Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Softwood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Sake Cups, Set of 3, Meiji Period, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A finely decorated set of 3 red lacquer sake cups, sakazuki, featuring views of Mt. Fuji, Meiji period, circa 1900, Japan. The lacquer sake cups, called sakazuki, of traditional p...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

You May Also Like

Lacquer inro, Japanese, Late 19th c.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fourpart Japanese lacquer Inro. the lacquer is red with motives of a spider with its web in gold and two flying cranes. The lowest part of the inro has a crack on one side.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

A fivepart Japanese lacquer inro with netsuke, late 19th c.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A nicely designed Japanese lacquer Inro with a wooden netsuke. The Inro with motives of a man playing a flute on one side and a creek on the other side. The Netsuke with signature.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Large Japanese five part lacquer Inro, late 19th c.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large five part lacquer inro. A family crest in gold on black background.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Miniature Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of three stacking boxes, a further three lidded boxes and a tray concealed within, raised on ogee bracket feet. This...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japan 1870 Meiji Period Round Five Drawer Inro Lacquered Wood With Flying Cranes
Located in Miami, FL
Japanese Inro from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Beautiful Inro, created in Japan during the Meiji imperial period, circa 1870. It was carefully crafted in carved precious wood with applications of lacquer and decorated with orientalism patterns. All dan trays are attached together with a himo cord. The detailed craftsmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Period: Meiji 1868-1912, Period of Emperor Mutsuhito. Approximate Date: 1870. Motif: Organic design with cascade landscape scene and five flying cranes. Drawers: Five. Shape: Cylinder. Very unusual and rare shape. Technique: Carved wood, Lacquer, hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, Gilding. Ojime: 17mm, round with Ebony wood. Netsuke: Carved dressed...
Category

Antique 1870s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Ebony, Giltwood, Lacquer

Japanese Laquered Tray finely Decorated , 19th Century Meiji Period
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good papier mâché, circular, black lacquered tray, hand enameled and gilded, made in Japan during the 19th century, Meiji period. This circular tray is very decorative, ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All