KATSUHIRA: A RARE GOLD OJIME DEPICTING DAIKOKU INSIDE HIS SACKBy Hagiya Katsuhira (born 1859), signed Katsuhira 勝平Japan, Meiji period (1868-19812)Of slightly flattened globular form, superbly worked in the form of a gleefully smiling Daikoku peeking out of his treasure bag with cloud designs inlaid in shakudo and copper, his face framed by the large ears, neatly incised chin beard and hands, and his copper-inlaid hat. Incised with the signature KATSUHIRA to the side above the lower cord hole.HEIGHT 1.5 cmWEIGHT 7.5 gCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear. Provenance: Christie’s, 4 July 1984, London, lot 570. A Distinguished Private Collection, acquired from the above.Literature comparison: Compare a related example in silver of Daikoku in his sack illustrated by Kinsey, Robert (1991) Ojime: Magical Jewels of Japan, p. 36, no. 119-12.Auction comparison: Compare two related gold ojime from the same collection as the present lot and also previously at Christie's, 4 July 1984, London, lot 567, at Galerie Zacke, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 314 (sold for 17,696 EUR) and 315 (sold for 10,112 EUR).