This finely crafted ‘Cat and Dog Fuchi Kashira’ set is made of iron and exhibits quite refined workmanship, likely dating to the middle Edo period. The fuchi depicts a sleeping cat in takabori relief, worked in silver with black spots rendered in shakudo, lying peacefully beside a gold-inlaid vessel. The vessel, with four small openings resembling the grate of a stove, has a distinctive bottle-shaped form, depicting an early Japanese incense burner or brazier used for heating. The background of the fuchi remains plain iron, creating a calm contrast to the soft gold and silver highlights. The kashira is also of iron, its surface unadorned except for a dog in takabori, carved in shakudo with gold-inlaid eyes, gazing upward attentively. The composition unites the tranquil and the alert, a delicate balance between rest and vigilance. The use of different metals for subtle tonal contrast reflects the aesthetic sensitivity of the Nara school, to which this work most probably belongs. The skilful modeling and tasteful restraint suggest the hand of a capable mid-Edo artisan – elegant, naturalistic, and quietly expressive.
Comes with a Kiri wood box.
Size:
Fuchi: 38 mm x 24 mm x 13 mm
Kashira: 34 mm x 18 mm x 9 mm
