32 - † NAOTSUGU: A FINE TWO-CASE SHIBUICHI ‘IMMORTAL’ INRO WITH AN 18K GOLD AND BAMBOO KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE

† NAOTSUGU: A FINE TWO-CASE SHIBUICHI ‘IMMORTAL’ INRO WITH AN 18K GOLD AND BAMBOO KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE By Naotsugu, signed Naotsugu 直次 Japan, 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of upright rectangular form and oval section, finely decorated in katakiribori with gold and silver inlays on a shibuichi ground. One side depicts an immortal striding across swirling clouds and carrying a large peach delicately picked out in gold and copper. Above, sparse branches and leaves are rendered in gold, while the reverse depicts a craggy landscape with flowering or fruiting sprays issuing from the rocks and peaches inlaid in copper, silver, and gold. Signed NAOTSUGU on a silver plaque. With a metal ojime and a kagamibuta netsuke, the latter comprising an 18K gold plate set into a bamboo bowl and finely decorated in takabori with a tiger, its muscular body and fur finely incised. HEIGHT 6.5 cm (inro) DIAMETER 3.2 cm (netsuke) WEIGHT 86 g (total) Condition: Very good condition, minor wear and a few tiny nicks here and there. There were several metalworkers named Naotsugu signing with the present kanji. The work shows affinities with that produced by the Hamano school of sword-fitting makers. Gold testing indicates a minimum purity of 18K for the gold plate (weight 6.2 g). Auction comparison: Compare a closely related shibuichi and metal-inlaid two-case inro by the same artist, signed Naotsugu, 6.4 cm high, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art, part II, 10 May 2011, London, lot 329 (sold for GBP 2,400 or approx. EUR 4,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.