Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 4

Fine Japanese Export Red Lacquer Box with Masonic Symbols, circa 1800

$14,826.44
£11,053.78
€12,500
CA$20,361.90
A$22,788.98
CHF 11,899.41
MX$278,026.95
NOK 151,047.36
SEK 143,334.64
DKK 95,210.97
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A fine Japanese export red lacquer box with Masonic symbols Kyoto/Nagasaki, 1800-1820 Red lacquer decorated with scattered flowers and flying birds with long tails in gold, with the Masonic emblem designed in mother of pearl inlaid on a black lacquer ground, the lock-plate of silvered copper and with brass hinges. Measures: W 37.9 x D 23.6 x H 8.5 cm The iconography inlaid in the centre of the lid relates to Masonic symbols specific to Scottish Rite. The Masonic design has been copied after the British ritual manual Jachin and Boaz (the two bronze pillars of Solomon’s Temple), published in 1797. Many Dutch and English Company servants were members of Masonic Lodges in the East. In 1729 the first British Provincial Grand Lodge was established in Bengal, and soon two lodges followed in Batavia. Other British and Dutch lodges were established throughout British India and the Dutch East-Indies in the second half of the 18th and in the 19th century. The dates suggest that the box may have been commissioned by James Lindsay 24th Earl of Crawford (1783-1869). Whilst it is not known whether he was a Mason, his father was Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1780-1782, and it can only be presumed James was a Mason as well. The symbols in general indicate a high-ranking in the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the box may have been a very precious gift to the Earl. Provenance: The Earls of Crawford and Balcarres, Scotland.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3.35 in (8.5 cm)Width: 14.93 in (37.9 cm)Depth: 9.3 in (23.6 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1800-1820
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Some minor pieces of mother-of-pearl missing and invisibly restored, the lacquer (other than on the photo) now with a deep gloss. Wear consistent with age and use. In original condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Amsterdam, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5458222107382

More From This Seller

View All
Rare 17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Medical Instrument Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Japanese export lacquer medical instrument box Edo-period, 1650-1700 L. 19 x W. 6 x H. 8.5 cm This unconventionally shaped lacquer b...
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Gold

A superb Japanese export lacquer writing box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Kyoto, circa 1680 The writing box has bevelled edges and a kabusebuta (overhanging lid), and is completely covered in black lacquer in maki-e and decorated in gold, silver and red h...
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Japanese Namban Lacquer Jewelry Casket, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Japanese Namban lacquer transition-style coffer with two drawers Kyoto/Nagasaki, circa 1650 The cartouches with gilt and red decorations of leaves...
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Cypress

Unique 17th Century Miniature Japanese Namban Lacquer Miniature Dollhouse Chest
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A unique and exceptional Japanese miniature or dollhouse export lacquered chest Kyoto, circa 1620-1640 The chest of rectangular shape with a domed lid, decorated in Transition-style, in gold hiramaki-e on a black background within reserved lobed cartouches decorated with landscapes animated with birds and rabbits, on a shagreen or samegawa background. The borders are decorated with geometric friezes, the box with gilt-copper mounts, the interior decorated in red lacquer. Measures: H 9.2 x W 14.5 x D 7.2 cm This miniature is of exceptional quality and a perfect copy of the famous large size Transition-style coffers. It was most likely ordered by a Dutch lady for her dollhouse (poppenhuis), like the famous Petronella Oortman (1656-1716) doll-house, which is now one of the highlights in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, or Petronella Oortmans-de la Court’s (1624-1707) dollhouse in the collection of the Centraal Museum Utrecht. Sara Rothé of Amsterdam in 1743 ordered a miniature black lacquered ivory tripod table with gold chinoiserie decoration by Jurriaan Buttner (Monika Kopplin, European Lacquer, 2010, p. 56). Other Japanned dollhouse...
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Shagreen, Cypress

Japanese Nagasaki Export Lacquer Box with Depiction of the 'Trippenhuis'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Japanese Nagasaki export lacquer box with mother-of-pearl depiction of the Amsterdam ‘Trippenhuis’ Edo-period, circa 1830 H. 12.5 x W. 24...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Japanese Colonial Nagsaki Lacquer Box with Depiction of Amsterdam, 1830-1840
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An important Japanese lacquer box with a view of The 'Nieuwe Stadsherberg Van Amsterdam Nagasaki, Edo-period, 1830-1840 The black lacquered wood box, decorated in gold and inla...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

You May Also Like

Late 19th Century Japanese Kamakura Carved Lacquer & Wood Box
By The Lacquer Company
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Japanese Kamakura carved lacquer & wood box. A bird perches in a flowering tree on the top surface. Often mistaken for Chinese carved lacquer. Good overall conditio...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Small red lacquered Japanese box with royal motto of the Netherlands, 1880
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty little Japanese lacquered box. On a golden metal medal inside we can read the royal motto of the Netherlands, adorned with a lion: "Je maintiendrai...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese late Meiji period A Large Organizer Red Lacquered Box, Ric.052
Located in Norton, MA
Japanese late Meiji period A Large Organizer Red Lacquered Box, decorated with irises and butterflies in gold and black.
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with flowering magnolia branches and signed by the artist. The inside of the box is covered with a paint loaded wit...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Red Lacquer Hide Box, c. 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
This small treasure box from the late 19th century exemplifies the lavish splendor of the Qing-dynasty (1644-1911) decorative arts, finished with intricate surface embellishment and ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furni...

Materials

Brass

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with golden herons and flowering tree branches and signed by the artist. Black flowers are painted around the box. ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood