19th century animal bone inrō

Inrō from the 19th century, made of a mixture of animal bone and ivory. The box is four-sided. The first side shows the figure of a woman in traditional dress with her hair pinned up. The second side of the inrō shows a bird in flight over a vine branch, which may symbolize life, freedom and the beauty of nature. The item comes with a cord and a bead (also made of bone), which was an integral part of the inrō's hanging system on the obi. The whole is housed in a box made of paulownia wood.
Inrō such as this were an example of decorative art already geared toward export, which was admired by 19th-century Europe.

Dimensions of inro: 6 x 9.5 x 2 cm
Dimensions of the box: 8.8 x 14.5 x 2.6 cm
Author: unknown
Dating: 19th century