Japanese Lacquered and Carved Wood Kodansu (Small Cabinet), Meiji Period

Story

Created during Japan's golden age of export art, this cabinet was designed to delight Western collectors with a dramatic reveal. Opening the understated, dark-grained doors exposes a dazzling, golden interior of cranes and imperial chrysanthemums.

Maker / Origin

While unsigned, this piece is the work of highly skilled Meiji-period artisans who specialized in combining traditional wood-carving with advanced lacquer techniques. During this era, workshops in Kyoto, Shizuoka, and Yokohama competed to produce increasingly complex, multi-textured works for international exhibitions and wealthy foreign travelers.

Condition & Value

The cabinet appears to be in excellent antique condition with very well-preserved lacquer and gilding. There is minor expected wear to the corners and edges of the dark wood casing, but no visible warping, major cracks, or missing metal hardware. Excellent preservation of the interior gilding significantly supports its value.