'Namban' Japanese Lacquer Export Cabinet

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About the Item

A 'Namban' export cabinet of the early 17th century Of rectangular form, dressed with engraved metal guard straps at the angles, being comprehensively decorated with lacquer work, mother-of-pearl and gilt; having a hinged fall front, with an engraved lock case, a shaped and engraved metal cartouche enclosing the keyhole, the a central panel of an arboreal scene, with an ornamental rooster and chicken below, and birds in flight over, enclosed by an outer reserve of inlaid geometric patterns; the interior having a centrally situated deep drawer with a panelled and arched front, surrounded by an asymmetrical arrangement of nine further drawers, with lacquered metal button handles, with conforming decoration; the top decorated with a mother-of-pearl cartouche enclosing a pair of mythological shi-shis, in the proscribed arrangement of one with its' mouth open, the other with a closed mouth; the sides, dressed with metal loop carrying handles, and the reverse, are decorated with conforming foliate and geometric designs. Japanese, circa 1600-1630 ‘Namban’ work, the generic name for ‘export’ wares initially ordered by Portuguese, and later Dutch traders in the 16th and 17th centuries. Religious articles, such as bible stands are to be found with this type of decoration. ‘Namban’ is the dismissive term for ‘Southern Barbarians’, the term used by the indigenous Japanese for their visitors. Literature ‘Japanese Export Lacquer 1580-1850’, compiled by Impey and Jörg, published Leiden; plates 228- 243 depict strikingly similar cabinets. ‘History of Lacquer’ by various contributors, published Phoebe Phillips and Bracken Books 1984, Pages 125/6 ‘Japanese Export Lacquers from the 17th Century’ Martha Boyer published Copenhagen 1959 Plate XXX et seq Trade with Japan After MarCo Polo had first described Japan in the late 13th century, and, Vasco da Gama opened a sea route to the Far East in 1497, European traders and missionaries, initially from Portugal, arrived in Japan early in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch, Spanish, and a smaller English contingent. The market offered fortuitous conditions; Japanese valued copper over gold and silver, and were eager buyers of firearms, clocks, telescopes, eyeglasses and artillery, and equally eager sellers of their native products, including lacquer work, porcelain, and Fine metal wares. Initially, the relationship was relatively harmonious, except between the Europeans themselves. However, the regular arrival of heavily armed merchantmen, and the aggressive proselytising of the missionaries alarmed the Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, leading him to issue the Sakoku Edict of 1635, forbidding all foreigners, except a few favoured Dutch traders to visit Japan, and expelling all others. The Edict was enlarged in 1639, to exclude all foreigners from Japan, under pain of death, effectively ending trade with Europe. Japanese lacquers, prized above Chinese lacquer work, with its highly refined decoration utilising gold and silver dust disappeared from the marketplace, and was not seen under over 200 years later, in 1858, when Commodore Perry re-established links with Japan.

Dimensions:
Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Style:
Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Gilt Metal,Lacquer,Mother-of-Pearl
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
17th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1630
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 85411stDibs: LU95477025023

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