AN UNUSUAL INLAID LACQUER THREE-CASE INRO DEPICTING A DRAGON AMID CLOUDS Unsigned Japan, 18th/19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The wide rectangular body decorated with black over red lacquer, the central scene polished leaving streaks of red lacquer, beautifully accentuating the natural grain of the wood. A gorgeous three-clawed dragon is worked in faint gold and silver hiramaki-e with inlays of aogai (mother-of-pearl), surrounded by beautifully black-lacquered clouds with streaks of red shimmering through. The interior similarly decorated with red lacquer. HEIGHT 7 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear. Provenance: From a private collection in southern France.