Japanese Maki-e Lacquerware Kodansu (Small Cabinet)

Story

Crafted in 19th-century Japan, this cabinet was designed to hold precious personal items or tea ceremony utensils. Its exterior whispers of spring with butterflies, while the interior bursts into autumn with vibrant maple leaves.

Maker / Origin

While unsigned, this piece is the product of a highly skilled lacquer workshop (shikki-shi) operating during the transition from the Edo to the Meiji period. These artisans spent months, sometimes years, applying dozens of microscopic layers of toxic sap from the Urushi tree, curing each layer in high humidity before polishing and applying the gold powder decoration.

Condition & Value

The cabinet is in very good antique condition with minor wear to the lacquer edges, light surface scratches consistent with age, and slight tarnishing to the metal hardware. The interior lacquer remains remarkably vibrant, and the structural integrity is excellent.