Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A SMALL COLLECTION OF JAPANESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

Comprising of a koto (zither), a biwa (lute) and a kotsuzumi (drum); the koto embellished with details in yosegi-zaiku marquetry, with areas in tortoiseshell painted with tennin and a dragon; the biwa with remnants of painted decoration and a moon inlaid in silver, with a black lacquer wooden case and a silk purse containing two wood plectrums; the drum in leather and wood, decorated with leafy tendrils in gold lacquer on the black ground, approx. 189cm max. (7)

Provenance: from the collection of Cavendish Morton (1874-1939). Morton was a British actor, photographer, and art director. Many of his photographs are today on display at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE.