Ivory Inro (fsspecial 4)
"THE INRO"
Inro 印籠 are the little masterpieces of Japanese craftsmen. These precious items were born in in the Edo period (1600 - 1868), in order to carry little things like: tobacco, identity seals and medicines. In the Edo period, pockets didn't exist in Japan, so all those little things were carried around by hanging them from the obi, sash and kimono sleeves. Inro are small boxes which are made by a stack of one or more of some tiny, nested boxes. A small rope is used to close up the nests, and at the and of the rope there is a Netsuke, a sort of button used to tie the Inro onto the Obi. So the Inro came into this world as a practical solution to carrying around tobacco and medicines easily. Yet, thanks to the Japanese sensibility it slowly became an ornament, just like many other of the ancient Japanese items. A special mention must also be made for the Netsuke. Netsuke were initially more modest and less elaborate, Again, just like the Inro, the netsuke was created principally for practical use. Both the Inro and the Netsuke experienced their best years during the seventeenth century, were by the two became more and more of an ornament. The creators of these objects seemed to be overflowing with ideas, and their imagination showed no boundaries.
"This is an antique inro. It is not new. It was made around the late 1800's"
This exquisitely carved ivory inro is truly a work of art and extremely unique in that it is mad of ivory. Generally inro are made of wood and then finely lacquered. This was made buy a very gifted craftsmen and must of been ordered specially made by a person of high stature back in the Edo period. Ivory was not so common as to make an item such as this and is in extremely good condition. This Inro for a any collector is a very unique item.
DETAILS
THIS VERY UNIQUE AND HIGH QUALITY IVORY INRO COMES IN A CUSTOM MADE STORAGE OR DISPLAY BOX MADE OUT OF BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE WOOD (HINOKI).
This item is on consignment.
Asking price:
$ 6,200.00
(shipping and insurance extra)
Order number for this item is : fsspecial-4
Email us if your interested in this item nihontoantiques@verizon.net
