Auctioneer Jim Cyr works the crowd.

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.