A Nanban lacquer coffer
The chest Japanese, Momoyama period (1573-1615), the stand English, early 19th century
Of conventional form, the domed, hinged lid, body and sides divided into panels separated by horizontal and vertical bands of shell-inlaid patterns of shippo-tsunagi (linked cash), semi-circular waterwheel and other geometric motifs, the cover with two front panels depicting respectively pheasants and confronting fighting cockerels, the front of the chest with two panels of grazing and frolicking deer with birds in flight above three integral drawers, the interior of plain black lacquer and fitted with an en-suite removable compartmentalised tray, the inside of the lid embellished in gold hiramaki-e, and inlaid in shell with two long-tailed exotic birds among clematis scrolls, the remaining panels, sides and reverse lacquered with typical Nanban tendrils, on a detachable, later rectangular wood stand. The chest 60cm x 100.5cm x 48.1cm (23¾in x 39½in x 19in), the stand 36cm x 104cm x 50cm (14 1/8in x 41in x 19¾in). (3).
