A pipecase (Kiseruzutsu) of musozutsu type is carved from a light, grainy wood.
The surface is lacquered in gold, silver and black takamaki-e with a design of leafy nasubi (eggplant).
The leaves are lacquered in seido-nuri (imitating patinated bronze), with gold veins, very typical of the school of Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891).
Silvered copper looped cord attachment and lining around the opening.

The pipecase is signed MYOSAI 苗斎.

ORIGIN: Japan

CONDITION: Good condition with minor overall wear, most notably a minor loss to lacquer between one stem which leads to the leaf on the reverse.