日本印籠，饰有高蒔絵龟纹 - 漆、金、木、石 - 日本 - Meiji period (1868-1912)

antique Japanese Inro 4-Case – Black Lacquer Taka-Maki-e Turtles – Complete Set with Jade Ojime & Netsuke – Meiji Period – Wooden Box

A beautifully preserved antique Japanese inro in four cases, featuring exceptional taka-maki-e (raised gold lacquer) decoration depicting multiple turtles swimming among waves and aquatic grasses.
Lacquerwork:
The turtles are rendered in high-relief gold lacquer with remarkable sculptural precision — each shell, limb, and head individually modeled in three dimensions. The background is finely needle-engraved with swirling waves and grass motifs. Gold dust (sunago) is applied to the interior rim edges, a hallmark of quality Meiji-period craftsmanship. Each of the four faces depicts a different pose, creating a continuous narrative scene when viewed in sequence.
The turtle motif carries deep symbolic meaning in Japanese culture — representing longevity, good fortune, and perseverance — making this a particularly auspicious and desirable collector's piece.
Complete set includes:

4-case inro (black lacquer, taka-maki-e turtle decoration)
Ojime bead (translucent pale green stone, likely jade or agate)
Netsuke (black lacquer disc form, wood)
Original silk braid cord (aged, purple-tone, consistent with period)
Wooden storage box (paulownia/kiri)

Dimensions: Width 7.5cm × Height 6cm
Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age. Natural wear to lacquer surface. Cord shows age-related fraying. Interior clean.
Period: Meiji to Taisho period (late 19th – early 20th century)
Carefully packed and shipped from Kyoto, Japan via EMS (Japan Post) or FedEx.
— Japan Rare Archive, Kyoto