Wooden and iron chest cabinet. Japanese work from the 16th century. Mu
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Furniture: Pre 1700: Item # 1490637
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Furniture: Pre 1700: Item # 1490637
Please refer to our stock # 544 when inquiring.
$7,500.00
The cabinet is solidly constructed with planks of resinous wood probably Hinoki (a variety of cypress), it is reinforced with artistically forged and cut fittings in the purest Japanese spirit, it has 3 locks which is exceptional, the main side with key, that of the upper part of the door also with key and secret sliding system and that of the lower part simply with secret system. This type of chest was used, it is said, by ship captains. 2 identical chests were kept in the 1950s at the Metropolitan Museum and dated from the 16th century. The presence of key locks imposes a temporal limit on us, in fact It was only from 1563 that the Portuguese, landing in Japan, brought European technologies, notably those of firearms but also those of locksmithing. Very quickly, probably in a few months, the skillful Nippon blacksmiths created their own locks. It is interesting to note that the entry hole for the locks of these cabinets is broken in the shape of an L, is this a specificity of this period? The quality of the wood is superb, the cabinetmaker selected boards with twisted veins, similar to the movements of the waves, the subtlety of the Japanese spirit allows us to think that the cabinetmaker saw a continuity of the sea. A photo shows the assembly of the boards by "crenel" tenons held by dowels. I have not found traces of the 2 other chests of the Metropolitan but I have photos of them, both have only one lock and are made of wood with a simple grain.
This chest of great aesthetics and built with the greatest care stands out from the ordinary and was certainly ordered by an important person.
Dimensions, 460x395x365mm Very heavy, 15kg.
Good condition, complete, no restoration, excellent patina. The wood is scratched in places, see the photos.
