A Japanese lacquer chest early 18th century

the domed top and straight sides with panels of raised lacquer depicting pavilions, gardens and rockeries in exotic settings with gilded highlights on a translucent aubergine ground, with gilt bronze carrying handles, escutcheon and corner plates, on a modern stand

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Oliver Impey and Christiaan Jorg, Japanese Export Lacquer, 2005, pp. 149-157.

The scheme of decoration on the present chest is more commonly found on cabinets manufactured for the export market which were designed to be mounted on European stands often with a gilded finish. Whilst comparable examples are recorded, few feature the distinctive recessed shaped apron displayed here which is typically associated with Japanese cabinets raised on western stands.