A RARE JAPANESE NAMBAN CABINET

A RARE JAPANESE NAMBAN CABINET

MOMOYAMA PERIOD, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Decorated with mother of pearl inlays and hiramaki-e gold lacquer on a deep black ground, the front embellished with a shaped panel enclosing a tiger and a leopard prowling underneath flowering trees, the central cartouche surrounded by geometric shippo-tsunagi cash patterns, the sides with birds perched amongst trees; the single hinged door opens to reveal nine rectangular drawers and a central compartment, all decorated with patterns of fruiting branches and leafy vines in gold lacquer within mother of pearl borders, together with a key, 44cm x 36.6cm x 64.5cm. (12)

Cf. O Impey and C Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer 1580-1850, pp.120-130, where other namban cabinets from the same period are illustrated and discussed.