Three stag-horn kiseruzutsu (pipe cases) with kiseru (pipes)


Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryEach of senryu-zutsu type, the first carved as a fish, the scales and fins carved with fine lines, the shinchu and bamboo pipe decorated with panels of the animals of the zodiac cast in low relief and silvered; the second carved as a lotus leaf curled in on itself, the silver and bamboo pipe with gourds on the vine and a dragonfly in iro-e takazogan and kebori; the third carved as a lotus leaf curled in on itself, the silver and bamboo pipe decorated with blossoming wisteria vines and a butterfly in gold takazogan, kebori and shishiai-bori, sealed Tsune (3) 9in (22.8cm) long, the largest