HIBA ONKO
By the Inoue company, signed Kyoto Inoue SeiJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The lobed dish is decorated in the center with a large circular reserve showing a scene from the childhood of the legendary statesman Shiba Onko. Depicted is Shiba Onko smashing a huge jar with a rock and freeing a poor boy who was about to drown after he fell inside watching the goldfish from the rim. Two companions are visibly delighted at Shiba Onko’s heroics. The details are iroetakazogan with rich gold and silver. Outside the circular reserve are fine geometrical motifs in silver and various scenes arranged in six lobed reserves in gold and silver nunome-zogan. The backside with gold signature Kyoto INOUE Sei.DIAMETER 30.5 cmWEIGHT 1390 gramsCondition: Excellent condition with minor expected surface wear.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison: Compare to a related dish by Inoue sold by Bonhams, Meiji Modern Design, 11 June 2003, London, lot 489.