A rare gilt-bronze and gold-mounted black and gilt Japanese lacquer casket the mounts by Louis Mailly, Paris (circa 1737-38), and with the charge mark of Hubert Louvet, the lacquer Edo period, early 18th century

of rectangular form with rounded corners, the top with a shepherd seated on the back of a buffalo playing the pipes watched by a boy with a basket of flowers on his back and with a scythe in his hand, with foliate clasps at each corner, the frieze with sprigs of leaves and with a band of trelliswork enclosing flowerheads with a foliate cast lockplate and clasp, the reverse at the latter with the initials 'L.M.' the inside decorated in gold nashiji decoration in the black and gold lacquer in the hiramaki-e and takamaki-e style, on bracket feet; the hinges and lock with the hallmark 'X' for Louis Mailly 

Sold Christie's, Paris, 13th December 2006, lot 214 (60,000Euros).

Colour overall less greenish and more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Beautiful detail to the lacquer and the mounts are nicely cast and chased. In overall very good condition. Very rare collector's piece. Highly recommended.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Thibaut Wolvesperges, Le Meuble Français en Lacque au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1998, pp. 33 and p. 68.
Inventaire après décès de Madame de Pompadour rédigé après son décès, publié par Jean Cordey, Société des Bibliophiles Français, Paris, 1939.

Japanese lacquer panels which originated from dismantled Namban chests and cabinets produced especially for the export market, during the third quarter of the 17th century which had been imported via the Netherlands into Europe in the 18th century, were highly prized as they were very rare and expensive. The mounts on this casket are engraved with the letter 'x'. This is the hallmark of Louis Mailly which he used from the 7^th September 1737 to the 24^th September 1738. Thus, Louis Mailly probably executed these mounts in 1737, though they did not achieve their present state until 1738. Mailly was one of the most reputable goldsmiths of the period, and is described as having worked for the Royal Family.

This casket may well have once belonged to Madame de Pompadour, who owned a number of lacquer boxes, which are recorded in her inventory at the time of her death in 1764. There is a box, one of two, which corresponds very closely to this lot and in the list of lacquer boxes only one no. 372 has a golden lock which was a very rare feature. The majority of these boxes were delivered by the marchand-mercier Lazard-Duvaux, who listed a large number in his journal.

The goldsmith Louis Mailly became master on 26 January 1723, entering his mark from the Place Dauphine, choosing a mallet (maillet) as his différent.