1 of 2

Portuguese-colonial Japanese Namban lacquer Vargueno Cabinet, circa 1600

$34,500List Price

About the Item

A Portuguese-colonial Japanese Namban lacquer vargueno cabinet Momoyama period, circa 1600 H. 43 x W. 64.5 x D. 36 cm Wood, black lacquered and decorated with gold and inlays of mother-of-pearl, brass mounts and carrying handles, the fall front lacking. A pictorial-style Namban cabinet, the top decorated in an unusual scene of a tiger attacking deer near a house and garden. Some of the earliest Namban wares produced for the Portuguese were fall-front cabinets or desks, and according to Impey and Jörg although poorly documented, “the Portuguese trade in these objects was clearly extensive” (Impey Jörg, ibid., p. 124). Coffer and cabinets, decorated in lacquer, gold and mother-of-pearl, were produced by the Japanese specifically for export to the West. The name Namban was given by the Japanese to Europeans and other 'Southern barbarians'. These export products developed in response to the Portuguese contact with Japan in the second half of the sixteenth century and were produced until the end of their presence in Japan in 1639 (Oliver Impey Christiaan Jörg, Japanese export lacquer 1580-1850, Amsterdam, 2005, p. 78). The earliest namban wares are decorated with floral and other motifs in gold, slivers of thin metal and mother-of-pearl inlay set in a mosaic pattern against a black lacquer ground. The designs and techniques that were executed by Kyoto artisans represent a fusion of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and European taste.

Dimensions:
Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)Width: 25.4 in (64.5 cm)Depth: 14.18 in (36 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Gold,Mother-of-Pearl,Wood,Lacquered
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
1600-1609
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1600
Condition:
Repaired: Probably regarding the age, the cabinet has been re-lacquered in the past. Additions or alterations made to the original: Possibly a fall-front was removed and made into a table top, this is common with such cabinets, since the interior is much more splendid. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Amsterdam, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5458231458712

20th Century European Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Style Red Lacquer Fall-Front Chest, 20th Century

$5,700

H 57 in W 43 in D 20 in

Antique Ceremonial Dress and Sword Tansu, Sendai, Japan

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Antique ceremonial dress and sword tansu, Sendai, Japan Guaranteed to be authentic as described.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Ceremonial Dress and Sword Tansu, Sendai, Japan

$4,600

H 46 in W 34.5 in D 17 in

Japanese Lacquer Meiji Period Cabinet on Stand, circa 1890

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A exquisite, fine quality Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese black lacquer cabinet on stand with wonderful scrolling gilded decoration. H...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Meiji Period Cabinet on Stand, circa 1890

$34,976 Sale Price

20% Off

H 58.27 in W 42.52 in D 22.84 in

Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A Japanese export lacquer cabinet, After Nagasaki late 19th century decorated throughout with foliate, bird and geometric motifs and painted mother of...

Category

Antique 19th Century Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet

$4,500

H 42 in Dm 12 in

Momoyama Namban Chest

Located in PARIS, FR

Namban chest with a semi-cylindrical lid made of black lacquered wood (urushi) with gold lacquer (maki-e) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden). Decorated with three main bands o...

Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Lacquer

Momoyama Namban Chest

$41,529

H 6.3 in W 5.32 in D 9.06 in

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

Located in Fulton, CA

Incredible example of Asian lacquer carving. Standing over seven feet tall, this monumental display shelf was produced in Japan at the end of the Ed...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

$21,500 Sale Price

49% Off

H 88 in W 50.5 in D 19.5 in

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

Located in San Francisco, CA

An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

$18,850

H 86 in W 50 in D 17.25 in

Monumental Japanese Shibayama Lacquer Shrine Cabinet, Meiji period

Located in Tarzana, CA

Exhibition-Quality Japanese Shrine Cabinet – Meiji Period, ca. 1880–1900 A rare and important multi-tiered Buddhist shrine cabinet, constructed in pagoda form and richly decorated i...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Furniture

Materials

Other

Monumental Japanese Shibayama Lacquer Shrine Cabinet, Meiji period

$525,000 Sale Price

30% Off

H 84 in W 70 in D 30 in

Antique Lacquered Cabinet Japan with Mother of Pearl Inlays

Located in Buxton, GB

This antique Japanese lacquered cabinet is a beautiful piece of furniture that is perfect for any collector of antique furniture. The ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Japonisme Furniture

Materials

Shell, Wood

Antique Lacquered Cabinet Japan with Mother of Pearl Inlays

$3,074

H 57.09 in W 28.35 in D 17.72 in

Dutch Colonial Antique Lacquered Wood Cabinet with Glass Doors and Cabriole Legs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Dutch Colonial Indonesian antique lacquered wooden cabinet from the early 20th century, with paneled glass doors, carved apron and claw feet. Crafted during the Dutch Colonial peri...

Category