Lot 152: A gold and black lacquer three-case inro The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art

By Toyosai after paintings by Sesshu Toyo (1420-1506) and Sesson (1504-circa 1589), 19th century Of wide form, with contrasting sides, one of rich roiro, lacquered and inlaid with two prancing shishi, in gold togidashi maki-e with outlines of gold foil and shell, the other of kinji, lacquered in sumi-e togidashi maki-e with a scene based on Sesshu's celebrated painting of Ama no Hashidate, a famous sandbar in Tango Province, the interior of matt shibuichi-nuri with kinji edges; inscribed on the base with the signatures of the painters Sesshu (for the Ama no Hashidate scene) and Sesson (for the shishi), signed Toyosai, with a gilt metal ojime, unsigned.8cm (3 1/8in) high.

: purchased from Grace Tsumugi, London, 2002. Wrangham collection, no.2197.

獅子に天の橋立図蒔絵印籠　銘「雪舟（方印）」「雪村（方印）」「桃葉斎」　19世紀 The painting by Sesshu (1420-1506), a National Treasure now housed in Kyoto National Museum, was painted when the artist was in his eighties and is considered one of his greatest masterpieces, see http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/syuzou/meihin/suibokuga/item01.html. The corresponding painting of shishi by Sesshu's contemporary Sesson Shukei (circa 1504-1589) has not been traced.