BOSTON, MASS. - A Nineteenth Century Japanese inro sold for
$25,850 in the Asian section of Skinner's Ceramic, Continental
and Asian auction on January 26.
The inro came from a South Carolina collection assembled prior to
World War II and carried a presale estimate of $1,2/$1,400. Sales
for the Asian section of the auction topped $660,000, a new high
for Skinner's Asian department.
Skinner's Asian specialists James Callahan told correspondent Bob
Jackman, "The value was in the surface texture and workmanship.
The design is one of restrained elegance... the workmanship was
intense." The surface was further decorated with dragonflies
composed of lacquer and mother-of-pearl.
