A small Japanese export lacquer circular box with a depiction of the Muiderpoort

Meiji period, circa 1873-1887 The black lacquered box decorated in maki-e and hiramaki-e gold, with on the lid a European style building complex and several Japanese and European figures walking along a street in the foreground. The sides are finely decorated with several insects and the inside with several compartments and nashiji decoration. H. 7.4 x W. 29 x D. 25.7 cm After the Americans forced Japan to open their harbours to the outside world and take part in international treaty and trade around the mid 19th century, the formerly feudal society rapidly changed. Japan was now focussing on an industrial future. One of the major international ports was Yokohama with its foreign embassies and warehouses - which attracted a great number of visitors of all sorts. For the higher society visiting Japan for the first time a new and ‘Western’ hotel had to be realised; hence the construction of The Grand Hotel on Kaigandori. The hotel was opened on August 16, 1873 (Meiji 6) and was soon considered the height of Western culture and elegance in Japan. The building probably depicted on this box, designed by American architect Richard P. Bridgens (リチャード・ブリジェンス, 1819 -1891), is the original hotel...

An oval Japanese export lacquer tray decorated with the alliance of the coats of arms of the Mooyaart and Pauw families Edo-period, circa 1798 L. 51.5 x B. 37.5 x H.3.2 cm This tra...

Japanese Gilt Lacquer Covered Sweet Meat Box Meiji Period. The circular box decorated with a raised evergreen tree before a pavilion, opening to multip...

A fine Japanese small lacquer box for precious incense, kogo, Edo period, mid 19th century, Japan. The small box of gold lacquer and wonderfully dec...