Japanese four-case gold lacquer inro depicting a sleeping lady, by Shisen
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This Japanese four-case inro is a fine example of traditional gold lacquer work, dating to the 19th century. Of rounded rectangular form and oval section, the piece features a nashiji ground embellished with gold and colored lacquer techniques, including takamaki-e (high relief), hiramaki-e (flat), and tsukegaki (line).
The obverse displays a scene of a court lady, reminiscent of the Shinto goddess Okame, blissfully asleep on a pillow with a fan in hand, dressed in patterned robes. The reverse depicts an empty black lacquer tsuigasane tray and a wooden tray, implying the lady has fallen asleep after an offering of sweets. The interior is also finished in nashiji with gold fundame edges. The underside is signed "Shisen saku" in tensho characters.
Measuring 9 cm in height, this accessory is accompanied by a globular coral ojime. The intricate artistry and subject matter serve as a mitate allusion to literary themes of the Heian period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Height
- 9 cm
- Material
- gold lacquer, nashiji, coral
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, tsukegaki, fundame
- Construction
- four-case
Design
- Obverse
- sleeping court lady
- Reverse
- tsuigasane tray and wooden tray
- Inscription
- Shisen saku
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Shisen
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.