A LARGE JAPANESE GOLD AND BLACK LACQUER CHEST FOR THE EXPORT MARKET EDO PERIOD

A LARGE JAPANESE GOLD AND BLACK LACQUER CHEST FOR THE EXPORT MARKET

EDO PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY

Of rectangular shape with a flat lid, decorated with rectangular panels enclosing mountainous river landscapes, the front with two figures on a bridge crossing a meandering river, with details rendered in hiramaki-e, kirigane and takamaki-e raised lacquer, the escutcheon plate with four chidori heads and two sideways paulownia mon, on a later European stand with cabriole legs, the coffer 45cm x 46cm x 90cm, 92.5cm x 57.5cm x 101cm overall.(2)

Provenance: a private English collection.

Cf. O Impey & C Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer 1580-1850, p.145 nos.304-309 for other comparable 17th century chests.