A Bijin-ga on a fan leaf

Description:

Japan, 19th century
18 x 41 cm / 37 x 48 cm / 148 x 70 cm
Portrait of an elegant courtesan with an elaborate hairstyle and decorative hairpins. Ink and colours on folding fan paper, mounted on silk brocade as a hanging scroll. Denoted ‘Utamaro hitsu’ on the left, with a red seal. Double wooden box (nijubako) comprising a lacquered outer case and an inscribed paulownia wood inner box (kiribako) with a matching label.
Austrian private collection - Formerly the Kaemmerer collection - Partially slightly wear, minimal stains and creases