A gold-lacquer and metal-inlaid four-case inro By Koshusai and Mototoshi, 19th century The vertical rectangular body with a roiro ground with sparse nashiji, lacquered and metal-inlaid with a continuous scene of Shoki, the demon-queller standing in puzzlement by a stream while an oni (demon) hides in a pine tree, in gold takamaki-e, the head, hands and sword of Shoki inlaid with shakudo and shibuichi, the oni of copper with gilt horns and the interior of nashiji, signed for the lacquer work Koshusai with a kao and for the metal inlay Mototoshi with a kao; with an aventurine ojime. 8.5cm (3 3/8in) high. Footnotes: リザーブ設定無し 鍾馗と鬼図蒔絵貼付彫金印籠　銘「古舟斎（花押）」「元利（花押）」　19世紀 Provenance: purchased at Christie's, London, 1977 Wrangham collection, no.1353. Published: E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, 1995, p.151, Koshusai. There were several metalworkers of the name Mototoshi, mainly known for their sword fittings. The present example is probably Morita Moritoshi, who died circa 1850. The design is taken from a woodblock-printed book titled Shoshoku ekagami (Designs for All the Crafts), illustrated by Kitao Masayoshi (1764-1824), published in 1794. The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art: Part IV, lot 315. www.bonhams.com/auctions/20493/lot/315/ Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com