Gold Furniture

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...

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

Kimono Tapestry "The Crane's Departure" by Kimono-Couture ・Kimono Art ・Japanese Art ・Japanese Hanging Scroll 【Description of Kimono Art by Kimono-Cou...

Kimono Art "Bird Melody" by Kimono-Couture ・Japanese Art ・Asian Wall Art ・Framed Wall Art 【Description of Kimono Art by Kimono-Couture】 Kimono Art is a form of Japanese Art that u...

Kimono Art "Fragrance of Spring" by Kimono-Couture ・Japanese Art ・Asian Wall Art ・Framed Wall Art 【Description of Kimono Art by Kimono-Couture】 Kimono Art is a form of Japanese Art that utilizes the highest quality vintage kimono obi, meticulously crafted by Kimono-Couture artisans. Japanese obi, traditional crafts that embody advanced skills and deep dedication, are painstakingly produced through numerous intricate steps. The colors and patterns of these obi hold various wishes and meanings. However, as Western culture has become predominant, the kimono culture has declined, and today, opportunities to appreciate its beauty are limited to special events like weddings and graduations. Therefore, Kimono-Couture takes on the challenge of reviving these obi as works of Framed Wall Art. Kimono-Couture skilled artisans are responsible for every aspect of the process, from sourcing the obi to the completion of Kimono Art, enhancing the beauty of these obi to the fullest. In the following, we will explain the wishes and meanings woven into this Kimono Art. 【Description of this Kimono Art "Fragrance of Spring"】 Kimono-Couture proudly presents its original Japanese Art...

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

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...

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...

This kimono tapestry is made from a traditional kimono obi and is a one-of-a-kind piece created by skilled Japanese artisans. This kimono obi is made of silk and gold leaf and is de...

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.

This Wall Decoration is a textile art where a kimono obi has been framed. We named this Kimono Art "Butterfly of Fortune." The kimono obi features three butterflies adorned with lav...

Butterfly of Fortune by Kimono-Couture *Japanese Kimono Art *Handmade by Kimono-Couture *One-of-a-kind Japanese Art The kimono obi features three butterflies adorned with lavish us...

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...

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...

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...

Seattral Folding Screen was inspired by the Seattle’s Central Library, which is the landmark of the Seattle Public Library System, consisted of 27 branches. The Seattle Central Library is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. The library is a sleek and modern space that houses over 1.45 million books. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus are two of the most famous architects in the world. Visitors can explore 11...

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

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

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

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