Page 114 - Sotheby's London Fine Japanese Art Nov. 2019

THE PROPERTY OF AN ITA LIAN GENTLEM AN

Detail

112

THE PROPERTY OF AN ITALIAN GENTLEMAN For further examples of this particular type The shape and construction of these
A NANBAN LACQUER SHOKENDAI of Nanban lacquer made in Japan for use Japanese lecterns was almost certainly
[LECTERN] by the Jesuit clergy, see Kyoto Kokuritsu derived from Goanese carved wood originals
Hakubutsukan [Kyoto National Museum], although equally there is evidence to
MOMOYAMA PERIOD (LATE Maki-e, shikkoku to ogon no Nihonbi [The suggest that the form is based on an Islamic
16 TH -EARLY 17 TH CENTURY) beauty of black and gold Japanese lacquer] prototype. A number of them can be found
(Kyoto, 1995), cat. nos. 139-140; Musées in Portugal. An example is illustrated in
constructed from two assembled and hinged Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Art Namban: Inventario Artistico de Portugal (Distrio de
planks of softwood, decorated overall in gold Les Portugais au Japon/Nambankunst: Santarem), Lisbon 1949 (pl. CXXXV) as is
hiramaki-e on a black lacquer ground and Portugezen in Japan (Brussels, 1989), cat. another carved wood and gilt example in the
inlaid in mother-of-pearl, now well worn, the nos. 35-42 and William Watson (ed.), The Church of Nossa Senhora da Purificacao, do
centre with sunburst and IHS emblem of the Great Japan Exhibition: Art of the Edo Period Olival (pl. CLXXI)
Society of Jesus, surrounded by a border (London, Royal Academy of Arts, 1981), cat.
of hanabishi, the reverse in black lacquer no. 151. £ 8,000-10,000
with an Italian family crest in gold added in € 9,000-11,300 US$ 10,000-12,500
Europe and floral sprays
46 cm., 18 in. high

112 Buyers are liable to pay both the hammer price (as estimated above) and the buyer’s premium together with any applicable taxes and Artist’s Resale Right (which will depend on the individual circumstances).
Refer to the Buying at Auction and VAT sections at the back of this catalogue for further information.