Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo) (1663-1743)

Edo period, 18th century

A circular two-case lacquer inro

Signed on the top of the interior of the top case Ritsuo with ceramic seal Kan

5.6 cm diameter

Provenance:

Michael Tomkinson collection

The circular inro lacquered in gold and red lacquer against a brown ground finished to resemble red bronze and designed as a gong decorated with an animated tree in a suiban set into a bronze basin set on tripod feet and decorated with "flush-inlaid gold", the tree undergoing a transformation into a writhing dragon, the reverse with the archaistic character ryu (dragon) framed by two wispy Chinese style dragons in clouds, all raised in relief. The sides are decorated with a lute and a horn in gold takamaki-e, while the interiors are in roiro-nuri with fundame edges.

Ogawa Haritsu who is usually known by his sobriquet, Ritsuo, was born holding the rank of samurai, but he early renounced the career of arms to turn to art. He was one of the first artists to incorporate diverse materials into his lacquer wares, utilizing the excellent adhesive qualities of lacquer to combine wood-glazed ceramic, metal, shell, and other materials with traditional maki-e techniques, obtaining eccentric and fine results. A revival of interest in Haritsu's style and techniques during the 19th century is best exemplified in the copies of his work by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), the foremost Japanese lacquerer of the 19th century.

Price: 14,000 €

Inventory Nr: 2007

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