Inrō and netsuke, Daikoku Ten

From Japan
Edo period, 19th century AD

The inrō and netsuke were made by the Somada school of lacquerers, whose work is characterized by fine coloured shell inlay with applied gold foil. The subject, Daikoku Ten, is one of the seven gods of Good Fortune. His attributes are rice bales, a sack of gold, a lucky mallet and rats, all symbols of prosperity.