257 - MINJO: A FINE TSUISHU LACQUER AND MIXED-METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE OF KIKUJIDO (THE CHRYSANTHEMUM BOY)

MINJO: A FINE TSUISHU LACQUER AND MIXED-METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE OF KIKUJIDO (THE CHRYSANTHEMUM BOY) By Unno Minjo (1868-1910), signed Minjo 民乗 and kakihan Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The circular shibuichi plate fitted into a beautifully carved tsuishu (carved red lacquer) bowl, the disc finely worked in gold and suaka hirazogan and katakiribori to depict Kikujido (the Chrysanthemum Boy) seated in a contemplative pose beside a vase and flowering chrysanthemums. The red lacquer bowl is carved around the rim with a continuous geometric rinzu pattern, while the reverse is elaborately worked in relief with a bird amid dense chrysanthemum blossoms and leafy branches against a finely carved diaper ground, harmonizing beautifully with the design of the shibuichi plate. Central himotoshi to the back, the cord attachment concealed behind the plate. Signed MINJO with kakihan to the front. DIAMETER 4.1 cm Condition: Old loss and repair to the tsuishu rim below Kikujido. Otherwise excellent condition with minor typical wear and light rubbing. Unno Minjo (1868-1910), recorded by Haynes under no. H06092.0, was the son of the celebrated metalworker Unno Shomin (1844-1915). He continued the refined mixed-metal traditions of the Unno family, distinguished by precise carving, elegant inlay, and sophisticated surface decoration. His father, one of the leading metalworkers of the Meiji period, taught at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and was later appointed an Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu Gigei-In). Literature comparison: Compare a closely related tsuishu and shibuichi kagamibuta netsuke of Hidari Jingoro by the same artist, signed Minjo with kakihan, 4.1 cm in diameter, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese and Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 78, no. C 416.