A cylindrical, four-case inrô with a dragon in clouds

Description:

Japan. signed: Shigekata and pot seal, late 18th c.
9,4 x 3,9 cm
Decorated with a dragon in gold-takamaki-e and hiramaki-e in clouds on a black lacquer ground with graduated nashiji. The clouds are heightened with kirikane, the eyes are inlaid with reverse-painted glass, the gold foil on the horns is partially missing. Ojime in imitation of guri lacquer.
From a South German private collection, assembled by several generations in the family since 1912 - Traces of wear with small chips, short crack