Gold Furniture

An exquisite antique Japanese Meiji period Shibayama Shodana cabinet, circa 1880. One of the finest antique Shibayama cabinets one will see, ...

17th Century Italian Cassone Gilt and polychrome decorated standing on a high molded plinth with Gothic architectural elements, such as a pointed arc, flanked by rose windows. The ...

Large Antique Thai Buddhist Manuscript Storage Cabinet. A tapering upright cabinet made of teak with black lacquered exterior and red interior. The decoration of gold on a black ground on three sides is created by the Lai Rot Nam...

A highly important Japanese export lacquer cabinet with depiction of the Dutch East India Company tradepost Deshima and the annual Dutch delegation on its way to the Shogun in Edo Edo period, circa 1660-1680 H. 88 x W. 100.5 x D. 54 cm This cabinet includes a later European japanned stand, but also a modern powder-coated steel frame. The latter can be designed and added to your specific needs. The sides and front of the rectangular two-door cabinet are embellished in gold and silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e on a black roiro lacquer ground with a continuous design. The two doors depict a long procession of numerous figures travelling on foot and horseback along buildings and a pagoda into a mountainous landscape. This is the annual court journey, Hofreis, of the Dutch from Nagasaki to the Shogun’s court in Edo. Three horseback riders are dressed as Dutch merchants and a fourth figure, probably het Opperhoofd, is seen inside a palanquin, norimon. Just about to cross the bridge, two men are carrying a cabinet like the present one. Many Japanese figures on either side of the procession are engaged in various activities; some play musical instruments on board of small boats, others are fishing; figures inside buildings are depicted playing go, and farmers are tending to their rice paddocks. The upper part of the right door shows a large mansion, probably the local daimyo’s castle, with men kneeling before a man in the central courtyard. The court journey fits in with the foreign policy of the shogunate which accorded a role to the VOC alongside China, Korea, and the Ryukyu Islands who also had to pay tribute. However, the VOC employees were traders, having low status in Japan’s social hierarchy, and they were received with less deference than were the state embassies from Korea and the Ryukyu Islands. Nevertheless, the contacts with the Dutch were a welcome source of information to the Shogun about Europe and European science and technology. The left side of the cabinet depicts, in mirror image, a rare view of the artificial fan-shaped Deshima Island, the trading post for the Dutch in Japan. The island, where the Dutch flag flies, is surrounded by small Japanese boats and an anchored three-masted fluyt (cargo ship), flying Dutch flags, with on the stern the VOC monogram. On the bottom right a busy street of Nagasaki is shown, bordered by shops and leading up to the stone bridge. On the island the trees are beautifully painted, two cows can be seen, and the flagpole, all in very fine detail. Dutchmen and enslaved Malay are visible outside the buildings and two Japanese figures, probably guards, sit in a small hut in the centre. A maximum of fifteen to twenty Dutchmen lived on the island at any time and soldiers or women were not allowed. Restrictions on Deshima were tight, and the merchants were only allowed to leave the island by special permission. The Opperhoofd had to be replaced every year, and each new Opperhoofd had to make a court journey to pay tribute, present gifts, and to obtain permission to Margaret Barclay eep on trading. In the distance, many birds fly above the hills and a four-story pagoda can be seen. The right side of the cabinet is painted with other horse riders and their retinue journeying through mountains. The pair of doors to the front open to reveal ten rectangular drawers. The drawers are decorated with scenes of birds in flight and landscapes with trees and plants. The reverse of the left door with two thatched buildings, one with a ladder, underneath a camelia tree with large blooms; the right door with a three-story pagoda nestled among trees and both doors with a flying phoenix, ho-oo bird. The cabinet, with elaborately engraved gilt copper mounts, hinges, lock plates and brass handles, is raised on an 18th-century English japanned wood stand. A pair of large cabinets...

The chest is constructed of teak covered in lacquer and gold leaf with a hinged lid and detailed decoration on four sides. The high relief thayo lacquer depicts narrative scenes, bordered by a tendril vine frame with reserve cartouches of birds, beasts or men within.  The scenes may be from the Mahajanaka Jataka, one of the last Jataka tales of a life preceding the life of becoming the Buddha. This tale of endurance starts by depicting the rivalry between two brothers fighting for the throne. The lid depicts this great conflict having two battling elephants at center. Half of the surrounding characters are sending the opponents into retreat. The brother that is King is killed. The sides of the chest dynamically continue the story. On the right side of the front scene, the pregnant Queen at the front of the palace is informed of the King’s death  by her kneeling subjects.  On the left side of the front panel, the Queen is shown in retreat with her riches sacked upon her head. On the left side of the chest the story continues with Saka the Lord of the Dewas offering the Queen a lift upon an ox drawn cart. The right side of the chest depicts the pregnant Queen at her destination of refuge discussing her predicament with her long lost brother who offers protection in the birth of her child, Prince Mahajanaka. The elaborate high relief thayo lacquer is molded and modeled of a putty of lacquer sap mixed with clay, saw-dust, or ash. The interior and back are lacquered red. Provenance: From a residence designed by Kalef Alaton. East & Orient Company, Dallas. Private collection, Texas. Lark Mason...

A late 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty altar chair, exquisitely handcrafted from hardwood and finished in a bold imperial red lacquer. This striking piece exemplifies the fine craftsmanship and technical woodworking skills for which Chinese artisans were renowned. Constructed using traditional mortise and tenon joinery—an advanced technique that requires no nails or glue—the chair demonstrates remarkable stability and artistry, hallmarks of Qing Dynasty furniture. The chair’s centre back splat features parcel-gilt cartouche decorations, each meticulously hand-carved and gilded with symbolic Chinese motifs and a central figural scene. The rich red lacquer and gilding reflect the traditional colours associated with good fortune and reverence in Chinese culture. Compact in stature, this antique altar chair...

A fine Japanese red and black maki-e lacquer presentation tray with original tomobako storage box, Taisho period, dated 1917, Japan. The large prese...

A Portuguese-colonial Japanese Namban lacquer vargueno cabinet Momoyama period, circa 1600 H. 43 x W. 64.5 x D. 36 cm Wood, black lacquered and deco...

Asian Chinese-style (20th Century) rectangular coffee table with a maroon lacquered finish, floral table top design, and gilt bamboo decorated cabriole legs.

Vintage Burmese Kammavaca Manuscript Chest. A rectangular wooden hinged lid box painted red with gold leaf shwe zawa gold leaf decorations of foliate...

Vintage Thai Howdah-style Meditation Chair, teak, lacquer, gold leaf, Mid-20th century. A highly decorative and ornately carved throne, evocative of the ro...

Renzo Rutili for Johnson Furniture Company chest with bench, circa late 1950s. It has gold leafed doors and ebonized case and bench. The interior of the chest has an adjustable shelf...

Asian Chinese-style rectangular coffee table with a black lacquered panel top featuring a Chinoiserie scene and modern celadon and gilt decorated shaped base.     

PRESENTING an EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE 19C SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor or Wall Case or cabinet featuring Hindu Gods. OUTSTANDING and VERY RARE! Mid 19th Century, cir...

This monumental manuscript cabinet is from Rangoon, Burma and made from teak wood, lacquer, and gold leaf. This manuscript cabinet features its orig...

Asian Chinese-style (20th Century) brown lacquered square coffee table with gilt star trim and a large round center medallion with figure...

Douro is a signed bar that combines bold finishes, with an amazing sculptural shape. Its made of resin reinforced with fiberglass, with exterior finished in verdigris color on "Strip...

Chinese dry lacquer table with gold designs depicting floral arrangements and accoutrements.