KAJIKAWA: A SUPERB LACQUERED AND INLAID FIVE-CASE INRO WITH SARUMAWASHI By a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa 梶川 saku 作 with red 'tsubo' seal Ei 榮 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The five-case inro of upright form with rounded edges, bearing a fine roiro ground, lacquered in iro-e takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashi-e, as well as some inlays of gold foil and aogai (mother-of-pearl). The front depicts a large willow tree above a Chinese monkey trainer (sarumwashi) wearing a typical hat, a hobby horse stick attached to his sash, and holding a red cord which leads to the other side and is attached to a small monkey carrying a leafy spray of bamboo. Signed underneath KAJIKAWA with red 'tsubo' (pot) seal Ei. The interior compartments of nashiji with gold fundame edges. HEIGHT 9.2 cm Condition: Overall good condition with minor wear and some replacements to inlays, as is to be expected. The signature underneath slightly worn. Provenance: British collection. Auction comparison: Compare to an inro bearing the same design, by Jokasai, sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2011, London, lot 81 (sold for 5,625 GBP). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.