A LACQUER THREE-CASE INRO WITH SPINNING TOPS (KOMA), ATTRIBUTED TO SOETSUAttributed to Tsuchida Soetsu (c. 1660-1745), unsignedJapan, 17th-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The nashiji ground finely decorated in gold hiramaki-e and inlays of aogai with five spinning tops to either side, their motion suggested by neatly painted wavy lines. The interior of roiro with gold fundame edges. HEIGHT 5.9 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, rubbing and tiny losses to lacquer. Provenance: From the collection of Gaston Lazard (1878-1956) and his wife Jane Levy (1886-1985) and thence by descent within the same family.The history of spinning tops (koma) in Japan dates back around 1,300 years ago, when children's spinning tops made from bamboo arrived from China. They became increasingly popular from the Kamakura period and were ubiquitous by the 17th century.Auction comparison:Compare to a related lacquer inro, by Tsuchida Soetsu, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part IV, 6 November 2013, London, lot 141 (sold for 5,625 GBP).