Kavel 2850

A gold lacquered five case inrō, to the top left of one side with a seated Dutchman with red hair smoking a clay pipe with floral decorated fabric curtains to the sides overlooking a ship, the other side with Japanese coastal view with typical Japanese buildings and Mount Fuji in the background, signed to the underside Koma Kansai, coral ojime and blue and white Hirado porcelain munju netsuke decorated with a dragon chasing the flying pearl. Dutchmen were considered exotic foreigners and were referred to as 'kōmōjin' (the red-haired people) who brought exiting new goods and technology to Japan. Reference: E.A. Wrangham, 'The Index of Irnō Artists', Harehope Publications, Northumberland, 1995, Page 140-141. Provenance: Private Dutch collection. Japan, 18th/19th century -9 x 6 cm, minor signs of wear-