An Inlaid Metalwork Koro
14 x 9 cm (5 ½ x 3 ½ “)

A beautifully carved and inlaid silver koro and cover with tripod feet in the form of karako; the globular body in gold, silver, shibuichi, and shakudo depicting two ho-o birds flying amongst clouds on a fine silver nanako ground; the edges of koro and cover in gold and silver geometric borders with the design of hanabishi (flower-shaped rhombus motif). The cover, both inside and outside, decorated in gold and silver with two gold dragons swirling through pierced clouds to catch the gold hoju, a precious and sacred treasure in Buddhism. The silver karako in Chinese costume squatting and holding up the koro; details in gold, shibuichi and shakudo. The finial of gold and silver hoju. With a tomobako.

Signed Toshiharu in a gold square seal.