Rare Japanese Lacquered Boxwood Inro in the Form of a Lidded Calligrapher’s Ink Stone Case

An Unusual Rare Japanese Lacquered Boxwood Inro in the Form of a Lidded Calligrapher’s Ink Stone Case Carved in High Relief with a Lotus Bud amidst Leaves the Base with Recess for the Ink Stick or ‘Sumi’
The interior of the lid etched with poetic inscription
The recess to the base signed ‘Taishin’ with additional seal mark denoting ‘Monkey Year’ 1848
The Himotoshi to the lid either side of a tightly rolled lotus leaf and in a triangular pattern to both of the sides and base two to top and four to the bottom
The inside showing signs of use with extensive traces of black ink around the brush well and rubbing to the centre
Late Edo Period Circa 1848
Size: 3cm high, 9cm long, 7cm wide - 1¼ ins high, 3½ ins long, 2¾ ins wide
Japanese ink sticks or ‘sumi’ are usually made of soot from various woods or charcoal and animal glue, sometimes with incense or medicinal scents added. To make the ink, the stick is ground against an ink-stone with a small quantity of water to produce a dark liquid which is then applied with a fine brush. Artists and calligraphers may vary the thickness of the resulting ink according to their preferences by reducing or increasing the intensity and time of ink grinding. Presumably this inro would have been worn and used when travelling and painting from nature.

Rare Japanese Lacquered Boxwood Inro in the Form of a Lidded Calligrapher’s Ink Stone Case

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+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk