A FOUR-CASE LACQUER INRO WITH COCKEREL AND LACQUER MANJU NETSUKE By Tokosai Masahige and Toshusai, signed Tokosai Masashige and kao, and Toshusai Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A four-case inro showing on one side a cockerel in front of a bamboo stalk, decorated in fine togidashi-e and hiramaki- e on matt gold fudame, depicting a cockerel next to bamboo on one side and a hen with a small bird and more bamboo on the other. Gold nashiji on the interior of the cases. Signed TOKOSAI MASASHIGE and KAO on the underside, a well-known lacquer artist. Very small haracters EISHIN and (possibly) KAO, which could however also mean “fame and loyalty”, next to the cockerel. With a two-part manju netsuke decorated in takamaki-e with gold, depicting a hut under a pine tree in front of a stream, signed TOSHUSAI, another well-known lacquer artist. Spherical ojime made from aventurine glass. HEIGHT inro 8.4 cm, DIAMETER manju netsuke 4.2 cm Condition: The inro with many surface scratches and some wear to lacquer, the netsuke with losses to lacquer takamaki-e. Provenance: British private collection.