Page 106 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

89 | A VERY LARGE NANBAN
COFFER WITH MATCHING STAND
Japan, ca. 1615-1630, early Edo period (1615-1868)

The coffer is of conventional form with a hinged and curved lid.
The top, front, back, sides and stand are all bordered by bands of
formal and floral ornament and finely painted in gold lacquer on
black ground, partially in high relief, with various landscapes and
pavilion scenes. The interior is lacquered red and painted inside
the lid with a spray of camellia. The corners of the lid and body
applied have engraved copper fittings, the sides each come with a
swing handle, the front with an elaborate lock-plate and clasp. The
stand bears a drawer, four spiral-shaped columns and an X-shaped
stabilizer above the four compressed globular feet.

SIZE 121 x 99 x 44.5 cm
Condition: Original condition with some losses, wear, traces of use
and age cracks. The front clasp is loose.
Alexander Popov, ca. 1920
Provenance: From the collection of Alexander Popov in Novi Sad,
Kingdom of Serbia, acquired between 1900-1920. Thence by
descent.
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.

Literature comparison: 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.
Auction result comparison: See Bonham’s London, November 9th,
2017, lot 309, for a related coffer, but lacking its original stand, sold
for £ 10,625 (€ 12,140).

Estimate EUR 8.000,-
Starting price EUR 4.000,-

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