A MINIATURE JAPANESE INLAID-IRON KODANSU (CABINET) BY KOMAI OTOJIRO

A MINIATURE JAPANESE INLAID-IRON KODANSU (CABINET) BY KOMAI OTOJIRO
MEIJI ERA, 19TH/20TH CENTURY

The slightly-domed rectangular body raised on four bracket feet and with a loop handle to the top, with six variously-shaped drawers, one with a curved front, all with a silver-coloured pull handle; the cabinet is decorated all over with dense designs of birds, flowers, mon, monkeys, landscapes and brocade patterns; one cartouche with a shrine resembling Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto; the sides with two large panels enclosing a pheasant perched on a flowering branch of peony to one side, and a butterfly fluttering above chrysanthemum to the other; the back of the cabinet with a complex scene of worshippers climbing steps leading to a shrine, the pavilion nestled amongst the trees; with seated lion dogs either side of the entrance and a sign inscribed Naritasan Fudoson below; the base with a square seal mark reading Nihon kuni Kyoto ju Komai sei, 12.2cm x 8.3cm x 5.4cm. (7)