A RARE JAPANESE NAMBAN GOLD AND BLACK LACQUER TABLE MOMOYAMA PERIOD OR LATER

A RARE JAPANESE NAMBAN GOLD AND BLACK LACQUER TABLE

MOMOYAMA PERIOD OR LATER, LATE 16TH CENTURY OR LATER

The top decorated in gold maki-e lacquer on a black urushi ground, with four shaped panels variously enclosing two monkeys, two deer, two doves and a phoenix amongst branches of prunus, paulownia, maple and wisteria, the panels divided by bands of dense geometrical patterns of diamonds and quatrefoils, with leaves and flowers picked out in mother of pearl, raden, each corner with copper mounts decorated with various flowering trees, all raised on four square-section legs united by a flat 'H' stretcher, the legs possibly later, 50cm x 86.5cm x 58.5cm.

See O Impey & C Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer 1580-1850, pp.196-197, for other examples of low tables with lacquer and mother of pearl decoration. See Also J Welsh, After the Barbarians, An Exceptional Group of Namban Works of Art, pp.78-87, where two other tables are illustrated. The author suggests that they may have been used as portable altars for Jesuits missionaries. They were first recorded in Japan in 1616 in a list of goods written by Jesuit Father Manuel Bento.