ZESHIN: A FINE LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH SPARROWS School of Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), signed Zeshin 是眞 Japan, late 19th century The four-case inro bearing a roiro ground, finely lacquered with a continuous scene depicting a sparrow's nest inside a hanging lantern, one adult approaching to feed its three young while two others fly past trailing wisteria on the reverse. The decor is executed in gold and silver takamaki-e, the lantern of sabiji-nuri (simulated russet iron) and the interior of nashiji with gold fundame edges. Signed in gold characters ZESHIN. HEIGHT 7 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and traces of use particularly around the edges. Provenance: Ex-collection Ted Wrangham, collection no. 1398, purchased from Kunsthandel Klefisch, Cologne, in 1978. Edward A. 'Ted' Wrangham (1928-2009) formed one of the most important collections of Japanese Art in modern times. His reference book 'The Index of Inro Artists' (1995) is considered one of the most important English-language studies on Japanese lacquer ever published.