CIRCA 1720

Imitation of Chinese lacquer was a common practice in early 18th century England to meet the demand for these exotic wares, but japanned coffers are rarely if ever seen. Chatsworth’s 'japan closet', first recorded in 1697, features a pair of coffers-on-stands constructed from lacquer panels and referenced in the 1764 inventory (which includes "One India old Japan'd [lacquer] Chest on a Gilt Frame", "two India old Japan Chestes", and "Two Blue and White China Jarr" below "two India Cabinets"). A related pair of coffers was ordered from China by Sir Francis Wyndham, Bt. (d. 1755) upon his elevation as Lord Montfort, Baron of Horseheath in 1741 and proudly bears his coat-of-arms. The coffers ultimately came to Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland through marriage. One was sold, Christie’s, New York, 17 October 2003, lot 213 ($28,680). A further lacquer example in the collection of the Earls of Verulam, Gorhambury, Hertfordshire is illustrated in M. Jourdain and R.S. Jenyns, Chinese Export Art in the Eighteenth Century, Middlesex, 1985, p. 86, fig. 26. All of these Chinese prototypes were mounted on English stands.