Japanese Lacquer items fro the Meiji period can be just FANTASTIC in their quality {See picture}. This example is of Museum quality, a box  with some drawers and lid that makes ya cry with joy at the sheer superb quality..........will not often be seen on the web or ebay as you would expect to pay £2000-£4000 for it.

Many so called "japanese Inro" are not, good Inro are of quality Lacquer {see pic}

Good lacquer is rare , Inro,Suziribako can be very expensive but are a good investment  in both financial and Intellectual collecting terms,you will not loose money while enjoying a unique period item.

"BUT" be aware, many items offered for sale are modern, the quality is poor......do NOT expect to pay a few pounds for a treasure..although this can happen, it is so rare.

Old Japanese Lacquer unless kept vey well indeed, often has a 'Softening' of the black, this shows through the red underlayer and can become a golden brown, much like can syrup in colour.

Additional gold lacquer usually stands proud  and is superb in its quality, the Taisho/ Meiji period produced some of the finest work.

See my other guides for payment caution.Also to assist ebay in the fight against Fraud and the miss description of Japanese ites, I have placed a "Grumpy" visitors   book on my web site. Help us in the community by visiting and adding sellers that you have had bad experience with. Word of caution though, objective and not subjective please. www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Greyman