A FOUR-CASE GOLD LACQUER INRO WITH A CAT AND A RATUnsigned, lacquered wood inroJapan, 19th centuryA gold lacquered four-case inro showing a cat on one side and a rat on the other, executed in takamaki-e and kirikane. Cats (neko) are a rather rare motif in inro art. On one side, the cat depicted is a well-fed housecat seated in a dominant position with its front paws raised with toys attached to a string next to it. The other side shows a dancing black rat (nezumi), amongst various seashells, a large sea-cucumber and algae- all a symbol for water, a known grievance of cats. The inro shows the saying 'The rats dance when the cats are away'. Gold nashiji on the interior of the cases.HEIGHT 7.7 CMCondition: Signs of age and wear, especially around the edgesProvenance: British private collection