YOYUSAI: A FINE GOLD LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO WITH A HAWK AND TWO HERONS By Hara Yoyusai, signed Yoyusai 羊遊齋 saku 作 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of upright, rounded rectangular form, bearing a kinji ground richly decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e and kirigane to depict a hawk perched on a gnarled leafy branch to one side and two herons in flight to the other. The interior with nashiji and gold fundame edges. The underside with the signature YOYUSAI saku [made by Yoyusai] in gold lacquer. HEIGHT 9.1 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor associated wear. Provenance: Swiss private collection. Auction comparison: Compare a related four-case lacquer inro by Yoyusai depicting a hawk, dated 18th-19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 12 September 2012, New York, lot 3223 (sold for 1,875 USD).