A black-lacquer two-case inro By Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century Of rectangular Chinese ink-cake form decorated with intentionally crackled ground and carved chips at the edges, each side with a sunken panel, one side with an inscription in archaic Chinese script Horotai, surrounded by traditional Chinese instruments, the reverse with a round lantern, partially obscured by smoke, signed Zeshin; with a black-lacquer ojime. 7.5cm (2 15/16in) high. 注脚 Provenance: Kelsch Collection. Sold at Christie's, London, 10 November 2010, lot 401. A Princely collection. Sold at Christie's, New York, 16 March 2021, lot 49. The inscription Horotai (Chinese: Baolutai) is taken from an illustration in Volume 6 of Fang-shi mopu (The Fang Family Compendium of Ink-cake Designs) by Fang Yulu and published circa 1588. Zeshin's diverse work encompassed homages to the Shijo and Rinpa schools, as well as the Chinese-inspired work of Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo, 1663-1747). This lot appears to be a copy of a saya (sheath) inro by Haritsu in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession no.36.100.226. Another ink-cake inro by Shibata Zeshin formerly in the Edward Wrangham Collection, decorated with a different inscription from Fang-shi mopu, was sold in these Rooms, 19 July 2021, lot 136.