A Late 17th Century Japanned and Namban Lacquer Cabinet on a Late 17th Century Carved Wood Silvered Stand

the upright cabinet with two doors, the decoration incorporating panels of mother-of-pearl-inlaid Japanese black lacquer decorated overall with flowering trees and birds within black and gold japanned frames and with foliate-engraved gilt-metal strap-work mounts, opening to an interior fitted with an arrangement of small drawers similarly decorated with Japanese mother-of-pearl-inlaid lacquer, the interior of the doors japanned in gold on a black ground with flowering plants and birds within diapered borders; the pierced silvered crest with foliate ornamented strap-work centered by two winged cherub heads above a shell flanked by plinths supporting later baskets of flowers, the apron of the stand similarly ornamented, the legs with shaped foliate ornament columns supported on Ionic capitals on fluted tapered columns above scrolled foliate ornament above arched divided feet, the arched cross-stretchers with scrolled strap-work and foliate carving centered by a pot stand.

The Collection of Edward Hudson

Christie's, New York, October 9, 1993, lot 362

The Collection of Gordon and Ann Getty, sold Sotheby's, New York, October 21, 22, 1999, lot 476

The cresting and stand retaining much of the original silvered gesso surface but with extensive losses overall, tarnishing to the metal, touching-in with silver paint, old cracks and small losses to leaf tips, the baskets of flowers to the crest are later replacements, the stand in similar condition to the crest with some losses and repairs overall and with later supports within the frame and with some old worm damage, the cabinet possibly composed of panels from a larger cabinet now with later English Japanned decoration to the inner doors and molded framework again with losses overall both tho Japanned and lacquered surfaceds with rubbing to the gilding and losses to the mother-of-pearl inlay, the doors both warped the metalwork with old tarnished surface and with losses overall.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The unusual decoration of this cabinet is partially composed of panels and drawer fronts taken from an early 17^th century Japanese cabinet or chest which have been incorporated into the design present cabinet with the addition of English japanned work.

The use of the word Namban (Southern Barbarian) to describe the style and technique of this form of lacquer was also applied in Japan to all foreigners other than the Chinese or Koreans. The first customers for these wares were the Portuguese who had arrived in Japan in 1542 or 1543, their style and purpose being derived not only from local Japanese taste, but also foreign ideas including the Spanish, Dutch and somewhat later, the English. The decorative effect was created by inlaying randomly cut pieces of pearl shell into a thick black lacquer ground which was then decorated overall in various colors of gold with flower and grass patterns scrolling vines and occasionally, birds, animals and figures (See: Impey & Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer, pp. 77-81). Fig. 117 of this work illustrates the type of cabinet from which the elements of the present cabinet were derived.

See:

Bernardo Ferrao, Mobiliario Portuguese India e Japao, 1990

Maria Helena Mendes Pinto, Namban Lacquerware in Portugal,

Oliver Impey and Christian Jörg, JapaneseExport Lacquer 1580-1850, Amsterdam, 2005