A gold-lacquer and inlaid metal four-case inro By Ittokusai and Kikuoka Mitsuyuki, 19th century The rich kinji ground lacquered in fine detail with a spreading pine tree in gold takamaki-e, amid kirikane clouds, beneath which is inlaid the seated figure of Jurojin with his recumbent stag in gold, silver, shakudo and shibuichi takazogan, the interior of nashiji, signed for the lacquer Ittokusai saku with a seal and on an inlaid gold tablet for the metalwork, Kikuoka Mitsuyuki; with a gold lacquer ojime. 7.9cm (3 1/8in) high. Footnotes: リザーブ設定無し 寿老人図蒔絵彫金貼付印籠　銘「一得斎作　（壷印）」　「菊岡光行」　19世紀 Provenance: purchased at Sotheby's, London, 1975. Wrangham collection, no.1307. Published: E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, 1995, p.94, Ittokusai, right. It was common practice for Japanese artists in various fields to employ apprentices or have followers who legitimately adopted the same name. The present example bears the name Kikuoka Mitsuyuki, who died in 1800, although the work looks later and it is probable that the metalwork was by a close follower of the master. The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art: Part IV, lot 319. www.bonhams.com/auctions/20493/lot/319/ Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com