Three stag-horn kiseruzutsu (pipe cases) and a bamboo and stag-horn kiseruzutsu (pipe case) with kiseru (pipe)


The first by Kanemitsu, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryEach of senryu-zutsu type, fashioned from a branch of stag horn resembling a tree trunk decorated with flowering vines in kebori, signed in a rectangular reserve Kanemitsu, with a silvered metal and bamboo pipe decorated with floral lozenges in katakiri-bori; the second carved with pomegranates in takabori, with a silver, shakudo and bamboo pipe decorated with birds and flowers in silver and gold takazogan; the third carved as an emaciated man, the corona of the stag horn utilized to represent his hat, the himotoshi formed as the man's raised right hand, with a shinchu and bamboo pipe decorated with the animals of the zodiac cast in relief; the fourth carved from a rhizome and fitted with a stag-horn knife and fork, the shinchu and bamboo pipe decorated with silver overlays (4) 9in (22.8cm) long, the largest