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Collections

Unknown
Nanban Coffer-Shaped Chestcirca 1630s

On view:
Geffen Galleries
Lacquered wooden chest with domed lid, densely inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl geometric lattice and gold floral cartouches on a near-black ground, with gilded metal edge fittings
Dome-lidded decorative box with black lacquered surface, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilt floral vine scrollwork on the sides, and geometric lattice pattern on the arched lid; brass hardware at corners and side.
Lacquered rectangular chest with domed lid open, black ground inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl geometric border and two cartouches with gilt floral motifs on the exterior; lid interior decorated with gold and rust scrolling vine and leaf pattern on black lacquer.
Black lacquer cabinet with arched lid, densely decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay and gilded floral and foliate motifs; double doors fitted with brass ring handles; geometric border patterns in iridescent shell alternate with gold leaf designs across the surface; gilt metal corner mounts.
Lacquered box with arched lid, black ground inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilded decoration; floral and foliate motifs cover the front panel, flanked by two gold ring handles, with geometric border patterns throughout.
Cylindrical lacquer case with dark ground, densely inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilt in geometric and floral patterns, with cartouche-shaped medallions on the curved surface and a small brass clasp.

Anonymous, Nanban Coffer-Shaped Chest, Early Edo period, circa 1630s, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of John & Junko Lee, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Nanban Coffer-Shaped Chest
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
circa 1630s
Period
Edo period (1603-1868)
Medium
Black lacquer with maki-e (sprinkled powder design) and mother-of-pearl inlay
Dimensions
10 3/8 x 26 1/2 x 7 15/16 in. (26.3 x 67.2 x 20.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of John & Junko Lee
Accession Number
M.90.71.8
Classification
Lacquer
Collecting Area
Japanese Art
Selected Bibliography
  • Zumaya, Diva. The World Made Wondrous: the Dutch Collector's Cabinet and the Politics of Possession. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2023.

Related Unframed

Uncovering the History of an Edo-Period Japanese Chest
Uncovering the History of an Edo-Period Japanese Chest
  • October 1, 2021
  • Emily Le