MOMOYAMA PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)

Details

An export chest
Momoyama period (16th century)
The rectangular chest with drop front opening to reveal various sized drawers including a central drawer normally in architectural style but here replaced with a period panel depicting IHS [Jesu Hominum Salvator] possibly from a mistle stand, the exterior decorated in gold hiramaki-e and inlaid in mother of pearl with ho-o birds, the sides with further birds and deer, copper gilt fittings on a European Oriental style stand
135cm. high, 46.4cm. wide by 88cm. long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note: the measurements for this lot are 135cm. high, 46.4cm. wide and 88cm. long.

Lot Essay

In Portuguese company records, these chests are called 'Scrutores'. Cabinets identical to these in form but varying in decoration were made at many of the Portuguese settlements in the East- in India and China as well as Japan- yet there is no known prototype or parallel in any indigenous oriental tradition. European models were used of which there are indications that the prototype was ultimatley of German origin. In 1610 the Frenchman Pyrard de Laval described among furniture exported to the East Indies 'cabinets of all patterns in the fashion of those made in Germany - a la mode de ceux d'Allegmagne...' This claim of German origin is supported by other evidence. For instance it is known that German cabinets were popular in Spain and Portugal in the 16th Century and it is recorded that Queen Isabella of Spain imported many 'escritorios' and cabinets from Germany

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