An impressive Japanese lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid…
click the photo to enlarge
An impressive Japanese lacquer and Mother of pearl inlaid cabinet, Meiji period, of rectangular form with an arrangement of sliding panels, drawers and doors with brass mounts and lock plates, all finely inlaid in Mother-of-pearl with exotic birds amongst bamboo trees, flowers and vines, raised on conforming bracket feet, 154.5 cm wide, x 41 cm deep, 179 cm high. This lot is accompanied by paper work and letters addressed to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London from the present owners father (deceased) speculating as to whether this cabinet was produced for the 1862 Great Exhibition

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Lacquered Lacquerware - Lacquer is a clear or coloured resin that is obtained from the sap of several species of trees in the genus Rhus, particularly the Rhus verniciflua tree, which is native to China and Japan. The resin is harvested by making incisions in the tree bark and collecting the sap that oozes out.

    The sap is then processed and refined through a series of steps, which may include filtration, heating, and chemical treatments. The resulting lacquer is a highly durable and glossy material that is used as a finish for furniture, musical instruments, and other objects.

    Lacquer has been used for thousands of years in Asia, where it is valued for its beauty and durability. It is applied in multiple thin layers, with each layer being allowed to dry and harden before the next one is added. The process can take several weeks or even months to complete, but the resulting finish is incredibly hard, glossy, and resistant to scratches and wear.

    The lacquer derived from the resin of the Rhus tree has been used for decoration of furniture in several countries in Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. These countries have rich traditions of using lacquer for furniture decoration and have developed unique techniques and styles of lacquer work.

    In China, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 2,000 years, and it became a major art form during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Chinese lacquerware is known for its intricate carving, painting, and inlay work, as well as its use of bold colours and designs. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as cabinets, screens, and chairs.

    In Japan, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 1,000 years. Japanese lacquerware is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, and it often incorporates natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and shells. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as chests, cabinets, and trays.

    In Korea, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over a thousand years. Korean lacquerware is known for its restrained and understated beauty, and it often features delicate patterns and designs that are achieved through careful layering and carving. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as cabinets, chests, and screens.

    In Vietnam, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 2,000 years. Vietnamese lacquerware is known for its vibrant colours and intricate designs, and it often features scenes from daily life, nature, and mythology

  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Japanese Upright two section cabinet having two doors, five drawers, decorated with gilded highlights & inlaid satsuma figures with satsuma roundel panels to the side of this cabinet, fitted drawerss to the interior. Condition good, hinges need attention.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A good Korean four drawer, two door elm cabinet, Yi Dynasty, 19th century with finely engraved gilt-copper & brass fittings, supported on a low stand. 118 cm high, 107 cm wide, 51 cm deep. Provenance: From a Sydney collection acquired in Hong Kong before 1

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A carved provincial oak chest of drawers, English, 19th century, 101 cm high, 97 cm wide, 53 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Chinese hardwood and lacquer stone inlaid screen on an associated stand Qing Dynasty, late 19th century inlaid with hardstone, jade and coral, depicting individual floral arrangement vignettes within fretwork borders, some losses to fretwork, associated

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.