Japanese Gilt Lacquer Kodansu Jewellery Cabinet - Meiji Period

This Japanese Meiji era (1868 - 1912) lacquered kodansu table cabinet and stand was made for export to The West at the height of Japonisme popularity at the beginning of the 20^th century, ca 1900. This kodansu would be well suited as a jewellery cabinet and is decorated using the traditional maki-e technique. 

The front of the cabinet is decorated with elaborate gilt work. On the left door, a monkey in a tree. On the right door a woman and child crossing a bridge. Small birds decorate the upper drawers. The top of the cabinet is in unusually excellent condition, decorated with two deer looking towards the moon rising over hills. 

The interior comprises six symmetrical drawers all decorated with fine floral paintings.

The Meiji era was a period of great change in Japan as it opened its ports to the West and transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. An appetite for Japonisme seized the West and as the foreign market grew the Meiji government actively promoted and funded the production and export of Japonisme work. Very few examples of Japanese exportware like this remained in Japan as they were mostly exported. 

Dimensions:

36.5 x 22.5 x 41.5 (wxdxh cms)

From Japan

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