Unknownpair Japanese Lacquered Maki E Meiji Period Cabinets 漆器 蒔絵 塗物 漆塗
Cotignac, France
£2,038 per item
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Item details
Height
17.0 cm
Width
18.0 cm
Depth
9.0 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
A pair of Meiji period, late 19th Century Lacquerware (漆器, shikki) miniature cabinets on stands. The decorative panels are of very fine quality. The cabinets are a 'true pair' that is the decoration of the drawer fronts etc is mirrored one to the other.
A magnificent and rare pair of miniature Japanese lacquer cabinets with drawers. Decorated doors open to reveal a series of 8 drawers, also profusely decorated the fronts of which make up a complete decorated scene of a pavilion in a mountain landscape with birds. The interiors of the drawers are decorated with red and gold flecked lacquer. The Japanese lacquerware method of sprinkling decorative gold or silver powder onto lacquer is called maki-e. The bottom two drawers in each cabinet contain a pair of smaller lidded boxes. All the surfaces of the cabinets are decorated with the finest quality lacquer scenes. Each drawer has a small stylised brass chrysanthemum handle most retaining their original rings. The doors are held with engraved brass hinges and close with original engraved brass locks. There is a carrying handle to the top of each cabinet. An exceptional and rare pair of cabinets which would make the most beautiful jewellery boxes.
Lacquer is made from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree. Handled only by master craftsmen, it has been used in Japanese art since around 7,000 BC, with techniques being perfected over centuries in order to produce exquisitely detailed designs for boxes and furniture intended for domestic use.
The intricate decoration on boxes reflected the increasing complexity of techniques used in lacquer production. These beautiful decorations would draw on subjects from nature, classical literature and allusions to scholarly pursuits. Ownership and display of such objects would indicate a level of sophistication and taste.
A number of terms are used in Japanese to refer to lacquerware. Shikki (漆器) means "lacquer ware" in the most literal sense, while nurimono (塗物) means "coated things", and urushi-nuri (漆塗) means "lacquer coating."
Condition report:
Good condition commensurate with age and fragility of material. Areas of wear. Restoration to feet of the stands. One small drawer divider missing. Lock Repair. Some of the tiny ring handles are missing. One stand is gilt decorated.
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Returns
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Free collection available
Yes
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- Selling at Vinterior since 2025
- Ships from Cotignac, France
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 24th March 2025
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