16 - KOMA KANSAI II: A FOUR-CASE LACQUER ‘CROWS AND WINTER MOON’ INRO, AFTER A DESIGN BY SAKAI HOITSU

KOMA KANSAI II: A FOUR-CASE LACQUER ‘CROWS AND WINTER MOON’ INRO, AFTER A DESIGN BY SAKAI HOITSU By Koma Kansai II (1767-1835), signed Koma Kansai 古滿 寛哉 utsusu 寫 Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of upright rectangular form with oval section, bearing a fine rogin ground and masterfully decorated in gold, silver, and black sumi togidashi maki-e. The exterior depicts a poetic Rinpa-inspired winter scene: on one side, two crows perch upon a snow-laden pine branch silhouetted against the glow of the partially obscured, golden moon, while the reverse shows two further crows in flight across a silver sky. The restrained palette and atmospheric composition reflect the refined natural imagery associated with Sakai Hoitsu. The interior cases are finished in brilliant nashiji with gold fundame rims. The first scene bears the signature Hoitsu hitsu [painted by Hoitsu] with seal, positioned at the lower right in the manner of a painter’s inscription on an original hanging scroll or album leaf. The underside is signed in gold hiramaki-e KANSAI utsusu [copied by Kansai], explicitly identifying the lacquer artist’s role as a faithful transcription of Hoitsu’s design. With a marbled glass ojime. HEIGHT 9.7 cm, LENGTH 5.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition, some very light rubbing to lacquer, particularly to the signature underneath. With an associated wood storage box. Koma Kansai II (1767-1835) is renowned as one of the most distinguished masters of the Koma family, many of whom were official lacquerers to the shogunate. Kansai II was celebrated for his versatility across various lacquer techniques and media, often collaborating with leading metalworkers to produce works of exceptional refinement. He also served as the master of the famous lacquer artist Shibata Zeshin. Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) was one of the greatest masters of the Rinpa school and the leading figure in its Edo revival. Born into the powerful Sakai samurai family, he devoted himself to painting and became deeply engaged with the legacy of Ogata Korin, whose style he studied, revived, and disseminated through publications and his own works. Hoitsu was especially celebrated for refined depictions of birds, flowers, and seasonal landscapes, characterized by elegant compositions and a poetic sensitivity toward nature. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related four-case silver lacquer inro depicting crows perched on a snow-laden branch against the setting sun, by Koma Kansai, dated to the 19th century, 10.2 cm high, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art, Part III, 15 May 2012, London, lot 261 (sold for GBP 85,250 or approx. EUR 148,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). This lot was also featured on the cover of the sale.