Decorated overall with gold lacquer depicting crysanthemums, lilies, trees, ho-o birds, geese and Japanese landscape scenes, the raised rectangular hinged top and side panels banded with inlaid repeating geometric patterns, enclosing a decorated interior with a removable divided tray containing two drawers, above a removable compartment concealing an arrangement of seven tortoiseshell-veneered drawers, the right side panel enclosing a lower drawer, on moulded base on bracket feet
10. 1/2 in. (27 cm.) high; 15 in. (28.5 cm) wide; 10. 1/2 in. (27 cm.) deep

Acquired at Mallett.

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

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Lot Essay

This precious Japanese tortoiseshell and lacquer jewel box is a fine example of a luxury item made in Japan for the European market.
This shape, never adopted in the Japanese domestic market, was made from the 1640s well into the 18th century and the current example is decorated in the 'pictorial style' of the third quarter of the 17th century. Its decoration relates to the so-called ‘Fine group’ of exceptionally decorated Japanese lacquer pieces, including a jewel box in the Tokyo National Museum (O. Impey, C. Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer, Amsterdam, 2005, p. 90). The tortoiseshell veneer of this jewel box is unusual and relates to a cabinet in Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha and in a Private Collection, illustrated Japanese Export Lacquer p.137. The red interior is typical of export items and the bracket feet and banding of the current lot indicate that it was made for a Northern European market.