by DOMOTO Insho (1891-1975), DOMOTO Gosaburo (1889-1964)
Late Taisho/early Showa, 1920-30. Gold, silver and black makie with metal rims.
27 x 22 x 18 cm. Signed. Original storage box.
This ornamental, tebako, traditionally used for the storage of cosmetics, incense and toiletries, is a fine example of kawari-nuri , fancy/strange, lacquering, that may be seen as a continuation of the experimental work undertaken by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891). The design, entitled 'Twilight', tasogare, wraps over the top and sides of the box, depicting Evening glory, yu-gao, also known as moon flowers, in muted gold takamakie emerging from a setting of leaves against a mysterious textured black ground. Two of these striking flowers have already furled, while another two remain open. The interior of the box is finished in a muted silver makie , that again recalls the work of Zeshin, and is signed in gold hiramakie Gosaburo.
Domoto Gosaburo (later known as Shikken), was the older brother of the famednihonga painter Domoto Insho. Inscriptions on the storage-box confirm that Gosaburo executed this work to a design by Insho, an artist noted for his wide-ranging influences to create a contemporary Japanese style. Gosaburo studied under Tomita Koshichi. His early work continued a traditional approach to design and technique but by the late 1920s his pieces became increasingly experimental and modern.