Inrô with five compartments in natural lacquered wood kiji nuri, Japan, Edo period, takamaki-e decoration of shoreline with herons, boat and anchor, signed 行年七十歳 桃壽 (gyônen nanajûsai Tôju with kakihan, Kanshosai Tôju at the age of seventy ), with coral ojime, and metal and ivory netsuke kagamibuta decorated with herons, signed 正勝 (Masakatsu), with cover and box bearing inscription, h. 8 cm (inrô) Provenance: Swiss private collection, assembled from 1932 to 1936 in Kobe (Japan). The collection was acquired under the mentorship of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), Honorary Consul of Switzerland to Japan in Kobe, director of Nestlé's Japanese subsidiary and an expert in Japanese art. The entire collection was inherited and has remained in the family ever since. A five-compartment natural lacquer kiji nuri inrô, Japan, Edo period, signed 行年七十歳 桃壽 (gyônen nanajûsai Tôju with kakihan, Kanshosai Tôju at the age of seventy), with a coral ojime, and a kagamibuta metal and ivory netsuke signed 正勝 (Masakatsu), with pouch and box bearing an inscription, 8 cm high (inrô) Provenance: private Swiss collection, assembled from 1932 to 1936 in Kobe (Japan). The collection was acquired under the mentorship of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), Honorary Consul of Switzerland to Japan in Kobe, director of Nestlé's Japanese subsidiary and an expert in Japanese art. The entire collection was inherited and has remained in the family ever since. General surface wear Some surface scratches Few small dents A few stains on the ivory (contact with the metal) Very little wear to the gilding Presence of an old label attached to the thread of the inrô This lot contains ivory and coral. Trade in these materials is regulated. Piguet therefore recommends that buyers inform themselves of the applicable regimes and requirements before taking any action relating to the purchase or handling of an ivory or coral object. Piguet will not apply on behalf of buyers for exemption certificates, CITES licences, registrations or other necessary documentation, including renewals or updates, and will not arrange import or export permits required for international shipments. The buyer's inability or delay in obtaining the necessary documents or in legally arranging the export or import of the consignment shall not justify cancellation of the sale or delay in payment. Overall wear to the surface Some surface scratches Few minute knocks Some stains on the ivory (contact with the metal) Very few wears to the gilding Presence of an old label attached to the inrô's thread This lot contains ivory and coral. Commercial trade in ivory and coral is regulated. Piguet therefore recommends that, before taking any action related to a potential purchase or handling of an ivory or coral item, buyers seek advice on the applicable regulations and requirements. Piguet will not conduct any applications for exemption certificates, CITES licenses, registrations, or similar documents that may be required, including their renewal or update, nor arrange for import or export permits needed for international shipping. A buyer's inability or delay in obtaining the necessary documentation, or in lawfully arranging the export or import of the lot, will not justify the cancellation of the sale or a delay in payment. A collection of Japanese Art The exceptional collection presented here bears witness to the refinement of Japanese art, notably through a selection of inrô and boxes carefully assembled in Japan between 1932 and 1936. It was assembled in Kobe by a Swiss collector living in Japan, who relied on the expert advice of Maurice Champoud (1899-1981), then Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Kobe. A connoisseur of Japanese art, Champoud played a key role in the creation of this collection. Passed down by inheritance within the same family to this day, this collection reflects a passionate and erudite appreciation of the subtlety and richness of Japanese art.