This Japanese Meiji era (1868 - 1912) lacquered kodansu table cabinet and stand was made for export to The West at the height of Japonisme popularity at the beginning of the 20th century, ca 1900. This kodansu would be well suited as a jewellery cabinet and is decorated using the traditional maki-e technique. 

It's decorated with ducks on the two main doors enclosed by a tree and foliage. The lower drawer shows two small birds playing against a backdrop of water and more foliage. Inside, the doors are decorated with butterflies, leaves, and acorn cups. The top and sides are also decorated with branches and foliage.

The cabinet comprises six drawers and a larger drawer at the base and includes a key and working lock. 

The Meiji era was a period of great change in Japan as it opened its ports to the West and transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. An appetite for Japonisme seized the West and as the foreign market grew the Meiji government actively promoted and funded the production and export of Japonisme work. Very few examples of Japanese exportware like this remained in Japan as they were mostly exported. 

Dimensions:

41 x 27.5 x 40.5 (wxdxh cms)

From Japan

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