Fine quality Japanese lacquer Kazaridana cabinet, late Edo Period circa 1860. It features both Hiramaki-e and Takamaki-e lacquer decoration techniques (maki-e). Hiramaki-e is where metal dust is sprinkled onto wet lacquer and then covered with a further layer of lacquer, and Takamaki-e is where lacquer is built up in relief with powdered clay or charcoal. The cabinet bears gilt mounts on the three shelves and bracket feet and contains a Kodogu-Bako box enclosed by a pair of hinged doors, the interiors decorated with painting and gilding and the shelves and exteriors decorated with a floral scroll pattern in gold. Kodogu-Bako boxes were used for containing utensils for the traditional Japanese incense game, in which participants attempt to guess which scent is being burned. The fine Japanese art of lacquering was developed over thousands of years.Made from the sap of the rhus vernicifera (Japanese or Chinese lacquer tree), laquer is poisonous until it dries and was handled only by master craftsmen. Their techniques were passed on and perfected over centuries producing exquisitely detailed designs for boxes, furniture, inro and more. The greatest advances in technique were cultivated during 250 years of peace following the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Throughout this time, Japanese society changed dramatically, the arts flourished and by the end of the Edo period (1603-1868), lacquerware techniques had been fully developed with master lacquerers producing extremely high-quality, expensive works for the aristocracy for both domestic and export uses.
Size: 28 ¾ h x 34 ¾ w x 15 ¼ d in
D19691

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