Inro with hilly landscape c. 1800 - 1850

This inro, a traditional Japanese container for medicine or small items, was created by the artist Nishikawa Yasunobu sometime between 1800 and 1850. The small, intricate piece is decorated with a layered landscape featuring a series of hills, with the top two in shades of gray and the bottom two in warm tones of gold and brown. The piece is crafted in the style of maki-e, a traditional Japanese lacquerwork technique, and incorporates gold dust and other materials to achieve its detailed and textured surface. The inro is an example of the artistry of the Edo period in Japan.