A Magnificent small lacquer cabinet 19th century

richly decorated in gold, silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, kirigane, okibirame, silver inlay and gold foil with scenes from the Tales of Genji, showing a pavilion and a bridge over a pond, a carriage possibly used by Genji next to a pine tree and a singing warbler on a plum tree from the Hatsune chapter, the top and sides with continuous scenes, the interior of the hinged doors with a fence and sho-chiku-bai (pine, bamboo and plum) beside a stream and a gate and a bridge to the right, flanking five drawers decorated with leaf filled kikko (tortoise shell) pattern, the hanabish (flower lozenge) shippo band, bamboo and plum blossoms over a lattice, peony and butterflies on a woven pattern, and another hanabishi lozenge, fitted with kanagu (metal mounts) engraved with foliate scrolls

On the top of the cabinet, the mid-section of the gold foil on veranda is replaced and quite a few okibirame on upper right is missing. The upper edge of the body (frame) has a minor old crack. Otherwise good condition.
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 overall design of the cabinet is from Genji Monogatari (The Tales of Genji), a Japanese classic novel written in the eleventh century by the court lady Murasaki Shikibu. The cart identifies the subject of Yugao. The warbler perched on a branch of pine represents Hatsune (the first warbler). This has been a very popular subject of lacquer since the early seventeenth century. A large lacquer wedding set with Hatsune motif was ordered for the daughter of the third shogun Iemitsu.  She was betrothed to her second cousin when she was two-and-a-half years old.