A silver, ivory and Shibayama-inlaid kodansu (table cabinet)
Meiji Period
Of conventional form, inset with 12 overlapping ivory panels of assorted shapes, each typically inlaid in Shibayama-style and decorated with a different bird-and-flower scene including ornate ikebana displays, butterflies hovering over chrysanthemum shrubs, a pair of doves perched beneath trailing wisteria and a kingfisher among lotus, all reserved on a silver filigree ground, the front with a single door hinged at the side opening to reveal three drawers lacquered in gold and slight-coloured togidashi maki-e with sprigs of chrysanthemums floating on the stream, the inside of the door decorated in gold takamaki-e with a solitary butterfly hovering over leafy vines and pinks, the underside of rich nashiji, the top applied with a silver ring handle and the sides and edges applied with silver mounts engraved with foliate motifs, unsigned. 19.5cm x 21.7cm x 16cm (7 5/8in x 8½in x 6¼in).
