18th Century and Earlier Lacquer

Late Momoyama period, late 16th century The coffer is decorated in black lacquer, urushi, on cedar wood, decorated with gold dust and silver, maki-e, and nashiji, mother-of-pearl, r...

An extremely rare, possibly unique, Chinese export lacquer bureau for the Dutch market Canton, circa 1737 H. 118 x W. 102.5 x D. 63 cm Provenance: - Private collection, The Netherlands - J.K. Driessen Antiques, Arnhem (Art Fair Breda, 1989) - Noble collection, Belgium Literature: - C.J.A. Jörg, ’De handel van de V.O.C. in Oosters lakwerk in de 18de eeuw’ in: Nederlands Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek , Jr. 31 (1980), pp. 355-363 (ill.) - Annigje Hofstede, Nederlandse meubelen van Barok tot Biedermeier, 1700-1830, Waanders, Zwolle 2004, pp. 35-37 (ill.) This lacquer bureau is one of the four writing desks purchased in Canton in 1737, and as far as is known, this is the only remaining bureau of its type from the period. As the VOC believed that large pieces of import took up too much valuable space in their trading ships...

Mochizuki Hanzan (1743-90?) Edo Period, 18th century Decorated with inlaid colored ceramic with a stag and maple leaves Height: 8.4 cm Sealed Hanzan Mochizuki Hanzan (1743-90?...

A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...

A small square-form table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent is...

Travel desk made of lacquered and gilded wood with drawers inside, reserved scenes with figures in palatial environments surrounded by flowers, birds and Taoist symbols. Exquisite E...

Rectangular black and gold lacquer kobako box decorated with pine trees in a mountain landscape in takamaki-e, kirigane and hiramaki-e lacquer. Background in nashi-ji lacquer. Surmou...

Exceptional suzuribako, the outside of the lid decorated with a bird of prey attached to its perch, the inside decorated with an old cherry tree in blossom behind faggots. The interi...

Quadrangular kobako box decorated with flowers in gold and blue lacquer with aogai inlay. Lid and sides in fundame lacquer, underside and interio...

Magnificent box Imperial jewelry box in black lacquered wood decorated with dragons. This wonderful box is lacquered on a black background with patt...

Japanese lacquer inro depicting a Daikokuten with his hammer watching children, next to a Matsu plant. Excellent quality decoration with relief details, shine and original patina. ...

Japanese box with lacquer lid finely decorated with Maki-e, dating from the 18th century, mid-Edo period. The box is of special size to preserve important calligraphy. All sides of ...

This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...

Eight-sided, flared shaped lacquer kobako box, following the decoration on the lid depicting a basket of flowers, composed of peonies and chrysanthemums in gold takamaki-e and hirama...

A Rare Negoro Lacquer Buddhist Stand This rare and historic Negoro lacquer Buddhist stand is a beautiful example of Japanese craftsmanship. It is made of wood with Negoro-style lacq...

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...

Chinese cinnabar very finely carved box circa late 18th or early 19th century. The multiple lacquered layers of red over black over amber, the cover carved with a scene of Kwan Yin i...

A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan. The large box and cover featu...

An exceptionally fine and unusual Japanese lacquer writing implements box, suzuribako, in the form of a zither, koto, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. With a modern wood storage box,...

In this ad you get the chance to buy a beautiful hand-painted Russian lacquer box from the 1800s. It is cylindrical in shape, slightly curving in...

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...

Superb late 16th century signed colonial Japanese Namban export lacquer coffer Momoyama period, late 16th/early 17th century, inscribed 'Arisato' on the bottom H. 30.5 x W. 43...

Muromachi period old Joboji lacquered Kataguchi Choshi. There are very few extant items from this era, and they are very rare items. This item has weathered over time, and the coa...

Late 18th century Inro by Kajikawa. Edo period Beautiful inro in gold lacquer representing a continuous landscape on both sides. The interior in Nashiji lacquer. Some small traces...

A rare Japanese lacquered wood fubako decorated in Kodaiji maki-e style circa early 17th century the beginning of the Edo period, possibly early toward the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The rectangular, long and slim box features a deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with two bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

Black and gold lacquer suzuribako (writing set) in takamaki-e on a nashi-ji background representing two tigers near rocks, bamboos and plum blossoms in a night landscape. Inside of the lid with a lake landscape. The interior of the suzuribako is composed with an inkstone, topped by a copper water bucket in the shape of a chrysanthemum on the left side, with a brush and a small knife. It includes in the right part a storage compartment. Inscription under the inkstone "Inkstone made by Nakamura Chobe". Although the tiger is not native to Japan, it has a high symbolic. The figure of courage was introduced by Buddhism from China. According to the Chinese tradition, the tiger is from one of the stars of the Great...

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box to store document or small scroll painting) circa late 18th century of Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lid with rounded corners and recessed mid-edge and a lower box with two bronze medallion rings and tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e and a low takamaki-e on a mottled Mura-nashiji background. The motifs on the lid depict branches of Japanese pine with finely rendered needles on the lower part; on the upper part, it showcases fruited persimmon branches. Two different shades of gold fundame were used to contrast the design and augmented by scattered gold kirigane to highlight some of the leaves. The design continues and cascades down to all sides of the lid as well as the walls of the box. The two bronze medallions appear original to the box and the silk ties show significant fading from the age. This Fine fubako is signed on the lower wall "Kanshosai" in Kanji with a kao mark. All the trims were finished in gold fundame and the interiors a dense nashiji in gold. Kanshosai is the mark of the distinguished lacquer artist Lizuka Toyo I who also signed his work "Toyosai". He was active in the second half of the 18th century during Edo period, employed by Hachisuka Shigeyoshi (1738-1801), daimyo of Awa on Shikoku Island. Although most survived work bearing his marks are inros, he was also known to decorated trays and other larger objects...

This product is a rare six-sided vermillion lacquer rinka (ring of flowers) tray. It was made in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. It has been ca...

A wonderful Japanese lacquer incense box, kogo, with a design of sparrows in flight, late Momoyama or early Edo Period, circa 1600, Japan. The small box, called a kogo, was used t...

A set of four extremely rare and important pictorial-style Japanese export lacquer bottles Edo-period, circa 1650-1680 H. 15.5 x W. 6.9 x B. 7.6 cm (each) The bottles with red cop...

An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...

Very large eight-panel sreen with richly decorated landscape vedutas, partly architectural. Very fine execution in coromandel lacquer partially accented with gold. The screen is exec...

Pair of Chinese Chippendale Qing Dynasty red lacquered king wood serpentine crest curvature arm chairs with decorative carved straight legs and original connecting stretchers. Mid 19...

A pair of fine Japanese export lacquered cutlery boxes Kyoto or Nagasaki, late 18th century H. 33.5 x W. 24 x D. 21 cm The bow-fronted boxes with sloping lids flat at the top are made of hinoki wood (Cypress), coated with Japanese paper and decorated in lacquer with scattered gold birds and flowers on a nashiji background. The Japanese mounts are made of copper and both boxes still have internal partitions to keep the cutlery upright. The form of these boxes is similar to a pictorial-style knife box in the collection of the Groninger Museum (inv. 1989- 347), dated between 1730 and 1780, but the style of the decoration is more like that on a knife box in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem (inv. E62271), which was brought to Salem by James Devereux, Captain of the Franklin, in 1799. Provenance: Henriette Jeane Christine van Neukirchen, called Nyvenheim (1807- 1849) and Nicolaas Johan Steengracht van Oostcapelle (1806-1866), thence by descent to the last owners, Ludolphine Emilie baronesse Schimmelpenninck van der Oye (1944) married in 1969 to Roland Daniel van Haersma Buma (1944), the last residents of castle Duivenvoorden near Voorschoten and the great-great-granddaughter of Nicolaas Johan Steengracht van Oostcapelle. There is no evidence that Nicolaas Johan himself, or any of his or his wife’s ancestors had ever been in Japan. However, Nicolaas’ grandfather (Nicolaas Steengracht, 1754-1840) was a director of both the VOC and WIC (West Indies Company...

Lacquer Potpourri box and cover with ormolu mountings from 18th century Directoire Japan/ France.

This extraordinary Chinese cinnabar lacquer round box is very detailed in amazing quality. A technique of engraving pattern on thick layer of red...

With chrysanthemum motif and a gilded bronze lid. Includes unsigned collector's box. Interior measurements: 7 1/2" opening, 5 1/4" deep.

A fine and rare early 18th century George II scarlet japanned chinoiserie wall hanging corner cupboard. C. 1730-1740. Attributed to Giles Grendey. ...

An old Japanese lacquered small box likely used to contain incense powder called Kobako, circa Momoyama to early Edo period (16-17th century). The rectangular form box with a fitted ...

A large Japanese transitional lacquer chest with gilt-metal mounts Edo period, early 17th century The rectangular chest with flat hinged lid decorated in gold, silver, and red ...

A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...

with chrysanthemum motif and a gilded bronze lid. Includes unsigned collector's box. interior measurements: 7 1/2" opening, 5 1/4" deep.

Chinese Art. A large wooden lacquered box decorated with birds and vegetal motif China, Ming dynasty, 17th century. 36cm x 6.5cm. Condition see more pictures.

A fine Japanese pictoral style lacquer cabinet with gilt-metal mounts Kyoto, Edo period, 1670-1690 Decorated in Japanese relief lacquer work, black lacquer ground decorated...

This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure, Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty) Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard. The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...

A three-case lacquered Inro by Yamada Family circa 18th-19th century Edo period. The inro with slight rounded form is of Kano style and vividly depicts a dragon slithering among the ink clouds on a gold background. Sumi-e togidashi (ink togidashi) technique, in combination with Hiramaki-e, were employed to create the dreamy ambience of this piece. The dragon has a painterly appearance inspired by Chinese ink painting that was often seen on the Japanese folding screens. The back of the Inro was sparsely decorated with the shifting patterns of the darkening clouds with an emphasis on the space intentionally left empty. Jokasai was signed to the base. On the front of the inro there is another miniature signature Hakugyoku Hogen, which is one of names used by Kano Michinobu (1730-1790). The dragon is evidently one of his designs (see reference below). Established by a member of Yamada family in the 17th century, the clan was one of the most prominent lacquer artisanal family for the next 200 years until the end of Edo period in the 19th century. Most members signed their work simply with Jokasai making the identification of the individual artists somewhat impossible. The current Inro on offer, compared to many other pieces by Jokasai, has an uncommon Kano style done in Sumi-e togidashi. Another unusual feature of this piece is that the interiors of the inro was decorated with an interesting gold mosaic inlays (kirigane) on a dark lacquer background, giving it a jewel like quality. For another Inro by Jokasai of a similar style using Sumi-e togidashi but depicts a tiger, see Wrangham collection, no.353, which was offered for sale as lot 256 in Bonham's London Auction: The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I. 9 Nov 2010. For an ink scroll...

Chinese six-panel folding screen with decorative carved forest with standing and flying cranes, with reverse side depicting village and figures of people, terminating on brass square...

This beautiful late 18th century marriage dowry box is an exquisite example of Indian craftsmanship. Made of teak with a patinated red lacquered surface, int...

A fine Japanese export black and gold lacquered pictorial-style dish Nagasaki or Kyoto, 1680-1720 The dish with wide flat rim of Keaki wood (Zelkova species) in black lacquer with...

18th century Burmese black bamboo pillow box in relief with red Rakhine lacquer. Created with bamboo weaving. Decorated all-over with geometrical shapes and...

Japanese Namban lacquer transition-style coffer with two drawers Kyoto/Nagasaki, circa 1650 The cartouches with gilt and red decorations of leaves...

Early 17th century incense burner( Koro) in basket weave nashiji lacquer pattern with chrysanthemum mons (the national symbol of Japan). Copper grill with detailed waves pattern. Foo...

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...

Chinese lacquer bowl of deep flared form with pewter from the 18th century. Over a body of black lacquered the exterior decorated with gilt scenes o...

The daimyo were the ruling class of land owners, subordinate to shogun, who formed around the 10th century and fell out of power in the 19th century. Daimyo families tended to be wealthy and could commission artwork or decorative pieces. This pair of 17th century hibachi are black and gold lacquer with designs of Uji Bridge...

Early 17th century Negoro lacquer footed bowl, Edo period (1603-1868) round bowl with tripod cabriole style legs. Negoro lacquer (monk's lacquer in red ...

A large Japanese Namban lacquer arqueta coffer for the Portuguese market Kyoto, Momoyama-period, late 16th century In Hinoki cypress lacquered in ...

Antique 18th century export Chinese lacquer gaming box with hand painted scenes gilt export black lacquer, there are 7 gaming boxes and 12 trays, size: ...