Cinnabar Masterpiece

View Similar Items

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

Cinnabar Lacquered Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Elegant Post Modern Masterpiece Cabinet, Italy, 2000

Luxury Masterpiece "Mademoiselle" Contemporary Modern Cabinet Bar Palisander

Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period

Chinese Qing Cinnabar Red Cabinet with Carved Peonies, circa 1800

Hickory Chippendale Banded Inlay China Cabinet American Masterpiece Collection

Masterpiece, French Hand-Carved Walnut China Cabinet of Unbelievable Quality

Joan Busquets Workshop Masterpiece Modernist Nouveau Desk Cabinet, ca. 1898

Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu in Keyaki, Meiji Period

Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1900s / Chest of Drawer Cabinet Wabisabi Mingei

Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi/

1 of 10

Cinnabar Masterpiece

About the Item

This incredible example of lacquer carving stands head and shoulders above nearly any piece it could be compared to, not only in terms of stature, but artistry as well. Standing over seven feet tall, this monumental display shelf was produced in Japan at the tail end of the Edo period, circa 1860. It features remarkable, detailed carving rivaling anything produced in Japan or China during any period. Unusually, this cabinet has been carved in the Chinese style, featuring many elements of Ming Dynasty carving from the Jiangxi area. Unlike a Chinese piece of similar quality, however, this design features three-clawed dragons, endemic to Japanese designs, over the imperial five-clawed dragons that would certainly appear on a piece of this caliber crafted in china. In addition, this cabinet features numerous scenes and floral motifs, all brilliantly carved to an intricate and fully-carved ground. According to the provenance given by it’s previous owner, supplemented and corroborated with reference material, it was originally crafted for the Jodai Karo, or the most senior retainer to the Daimyo, of Nagaoka, a daimiate in northern Japan. Nagaoka fell early in the Meiji Revolution, and with it so did the Karo, who was taken prisoner, while his family and servants took what they could and burned their property to the ground. Thankfully, this masterwork was saved, and the family kept it and their other remaining property in a storehouse, slowly selling and trading it away to survive after being stripped of their title and status by the new government. This particular piece was given to a visiting American woman in exchange for service as a caretaker to the family’s daughter at some point, who would go on to become well-known author Etsu Sugimoto. Included with this cabinet is an original portrait photograph of Etsu taken in April, 1901. Further information relevant to the history of this piece can be gleaned from a reading of Etsu’s autobiography, A Daughter of the Samurai, where she details her life story, though does not mention this piece In consideration of the age and history of this piece it is in quite good condition; there are a few small losses to and age-related cracks in the black lacquering on the shelves, as well as occasional small losses and repairs to cinnabar elements, all typical of a piece of this age. In all, this piece would be the pinnacle of any Asian art collection, whether focusing on Chinese or Japanese pieces. Pieces of this quality and rarity are rarely, if ever, available on the open market, and I can confidently say that this is the one of finest piece of carved lacquer furniture available for sale in the world today. Please contact us if you have any questions, would like additional photos, or would like to schedule a viewing of the piece. 明治剔紅雕漆百寶櫃此百寶櫃造於明治未期，約1860年，亦是日本製造剔紅藝術品技術最高的時期。目前最早的剔紅工藝品來自日本，而中國的剔紅工藝則始於隋唐，成熟於宋，並且於明清出產量最多。明治時期由於中日文化交流，不少日本工藝品受到了中國風格影響，而此櫃更是融合了日本和中國江西一帶的雕刻技巧，並展現了雕刻師的高超技術。櫃上的剔紅雕刻人和景栩栩如生，而龍紋更是姿態矯健，無一不證明了此剔紅百寶櫃乃同類品中的精品。此櫃雖製造於百多年前，但其保存狀況仍屬良好。櫃上雖有少許因木頭老化和氣候轉變而留下的裂紋，和少許因年代遠久而脫落的剔紅，但仍難以掩蓋它乃市場上眾多剔紅藝品中最有收藏價值的古董之一。毫無疑問，此百寶櫃乃是亞洲收藏精品中之精品，無論是中國古董還是日本古董的收藏家都會因其巧奪天工的雕技而大為驚嘆。如若對此藏品有任何疑問或想親睹其品，請聯絡我們。

Dimensions:
Height: 88 in (223.52 cm)Width: 50.5 in (128.27 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
Style:
Meiji (Of the Period)
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Mid 19th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Over-all in very good original condition. Several splits in sliding doors, some areas of lacquer loss. Minor chips on corners. Two recarved 3 inch corbels.
Seller Location:
Fulton, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: D14K1stDibs: LU94591126278