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Lot Essay
From the late 18th century the range of items being decorated in lacquer increased with the introduction of new European designs, such as secretaires, sewing tables, desks and writing boxes. These new forms were in response to international trade and the demands of its traders, who requested new shapes and styles of decoration. Green velvet seems to have been the preferred lining for Japanese objects made for the European market.
An elegant French-fashioned and brass-bound Portable Writing Desk of this pattern, appropriate for travelling in any part of the world, featured on the trade-sheet issued by the Strand cabinet-maker and portable desk manufacturer Thomas Handford (fl. 1804-40), who advertised that Order for the East or West Indies were punctually executed (C. Gilbert, Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Leeds, 1996, p.255).
Green velvet seems to have been the preferred lining for Japanese objects made for the European market. For example, a pair of Nagasaki lacquer cutlery-urns, sold Christie's, London, 17 November 1999, lot 201, had a similar green velvet-lined interior.
An elegant French-fashioned and brass-bound Portable Writing Desk of this pattern, appropriate for travelling in any part of the world, featured on the trade-sheet issued by the Strand cabinet-maker and portable desk manufacturer Thomas Handford (fl. 1804-40), who advertised that Order for the East or West Indies were punctually executed (C. Gilbert, Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Leeds, 1996, p.255).
Green velvet seems to have been the preferred lining for Japanese objects made for the European market. For example, a pair of Nagasaki lacquer cutlery-urns, sold Christie's, London, 17 November 1999, lot 201, had a similar green velvet-lined interior.