A black-lacquer kogo (incense box) converted into an inro with inlaid metal netsuke and metal ojime


Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid/late 19th centuryThe kogo lacquered in gold and slight coloured takamaki-e with a coiled dragon holding a nyoi-hoju (wish-granting jewel), the interior of mura-nashiji, fitted within a detachable bronze mount applied with external cord runners in silvered metal, with an inlaid bronze ojime in the form of a four-sided miniature plant pot decorated with a flowering sprig in high relief of silver, gilt and bronze, signed Shosai, and a bronze netsuke in the form of a portable ash bowl similarly decorated with two dragons applied in high relief of gold and silver, unsigned. 8.7cm x 8.7cm (3 3/8in x 3 3/8in).