Rare Japanese Ceramic Glazed Inro with Ojime Ogata Kenzan Edo Period

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A Japanese three-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with an original ensuite Ojime circa 18th century of Edo … Read more A Japanese three-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with an original ensuite Ojime circa 18th century of Edo period signed by Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743).
The circular inro features a painting of a scholar with black hat (often worn by the literati of Chinese Song-Ming dynasty). The elder has a smiling face and long white bear and holding a flywhisk, a regalia across Asian cultures, but particularly with Taoism and Buddhism in China and Japan. The figure could embody an old scholar, a sage, or a deity of longevity. On the opposite side, a wonderful arrangement of scholarly item is found. An archaic form incense burner is next to a low desk in red lacquer. On top, there places a brush pot with brush pens and peacock feathers, an ink stone, a stack of books, a water dropper and an ewer. On the ojime connected to the Inro by silk cord, there is a bell and a bronze alms bowl, associated with Japanese Shingon. Both the Inro and Ojime were signed with matching Kenzan seal in black.
The Inro and Ojime are attributed to Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743) and was quite possibly made by him. Kenzan was a celebrated potter, painter and calligrapher from Edo period and associated with Kyō ware and Kiyomizu ware, in which this piece belongs to. Ceramic inros that bear Ogata Kenzan's signature are scarce, especially in good condition.
For two examples including one in the identical circular form, see item AS39-1971, AS38-1971 in the collection of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourn, Australia. See less