An oval Japanese export lacquer tray

A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be. In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...

Nagasaki, Edo period, 1st half 19th century Of circular form decorated in gold hiramaki-e on a black-lacquered ground, the lid depicts the Muiderpoort, a city gate of Amsterdam, aft...

A Japanese Arita blue and white porcelain VOC dish. Arita, late 17th century Measure: Diameter 32.1 cm These dishes, ordered by the VOC during the second half of the 17th century, were copied after the popular Chinese Wanli ‘Kraak’ porcelain...

An extremely fine and important Japanese lacquer cabinet with gilt-copper mounts for the European market Edo period, late 17th century The pictorial style decorated rectangular...

As beautiful as it is practical, this Japanese Meiji-period lacquered tray is distinguished by its exceptional craftsmanship. It exhibits a phenomenal artistry as the entire tray is ...

This lacquer tray uses several lacquer techniques including multi-color painting of flowers, ito-me (thread pattern) and shell inlay. The artist was Shimano Sanshu (1877 - 1965). He ...

This exquisite large-scale antique Japanese lacquer tray showcases masterful gilt decoration against a rich lacquered ground. Its expansi...

Tray in black lacquer and gold paint with scenes of life in Japan at the end of the 19th century. Size 47 cm by 62 cm. Additional information: Material: Lacquer.