Page 190 - Japanese Art Nov 9 2017 London

(interior)

*309 TP

A NANBAN LACQUER COFFER
Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1615-1630
Of conventional form with hinged curved lid, the top, front, back and
sides all bordered by bands of formal floral ornament imitating shell
inlay, the top and front with a further ogival border, surrounding a
black-lacquer surface decorated in gold, silver and coloured lacquer
and kirigane, with floral motifs including omodaka (water plantain),
tachibana (mandarin orange), and kuzu (kudzu vine), the top and each
with two hares, the interior lacquered black and painted inside the lid
with a spray of camellia wrapped in a silk cloth, the corners of the lid
and body applied with engraved copper-gilt fittings, the sides each
with a swing handle, the front with an elaborate lock-plate and clasp.
45cm x 97cm x 40cm (17¾in x 38 1/8in x 15¾in).

£15,000 - 20,000
JPY2,200,000 - 3,000,000
US$20,000 - 26,000

The present form of coffer with domed cover, nicknamed kamaboko
(fish sausage) by modern commentators, was only briefly fashionable
and gradually gave way to the flat-topped chest during the second and
third decades of the seventeenth century as the Portuguese presence in
Japan waned and Dutch traders began to play a more prominent role.

For similar types, see Oliver Impey and Christiaan Jörg, Japanese
Export Lacquer 1580-1850, Amsterdam, Hotei Publishing, 2005,
pp.153-154, nos.343 and 344.

188 | BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.