Lot 125
125
A JAPANESE COPPER-MOUNTED SATINWOOD CABINET mounted overall with foliage-engraved lockplates, the rectangular top above a pair of doors decorated with a dragon and a laurel tree and enclosing ten hardwood-lined drawers with ebonised mouldings, formerly a cabinet-on-stand, now with later block feet, the interior with paper label inscribed in ink This chest was given by Charles II to Louise de la Kuerouille (sic) Duchess of Portsmouth and has been in the possesion of members of my Grandfather's family ever since. It came to him between 1830 and 1840 - he was Jacob Ruffy - born in England 1792 - His Grandfather had a property in Normandy, but fled to England at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, minor restorations

Details
A JAPANESE COPPER-MOUNTED SATINWOOD CABINET mounted overall with foliage-engraved lockplates, the rectangular top above a pair of doors decorated with a dragon and a laurel tree and enclosing ten hardwood-lined drawers with ebonised mouldings, formerly a cabinet-on-stand, now with later block feet, the interior with paper label inscribed in ink This chest was given by Charles II to Louise de la Kuerouille (sic) Duchess of Portsmouth and has been in the possesion of members of my Grandfather's family ever since. It came to him between 1830 and 1840 - he was Jacob Ruffy - born in England 1792 - His Grandfather had a property in Normandy, but fled to England at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, minor restorations
36in. (91.5cm.) wide; 27½in. (70cm.) high; 19in. (48cm.) deep
Provenance
By repute, given by Charles II to Louise de la Kerouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth
Jacob Ruffy (b. 1792), and by descent at least in the 19th Century
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 30 May 1975, lot 45, where purchased by the present owner

Lot Essay

It is possible that the symbolism of the decoration on this cabinet relates to its history. The fabulous animal on the left door is shirakina kami, revered as a talisman against plague. It is a plain wood deity, hence the absence of an overall lacquered surface.
The provenance given on the label raises tantalising questions about whether this cabinet was given to Charles II for its power against the plague.

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