Gold Lacquer Box. Japan, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century.

Stackable compartment box (Bako). Lacquered wood powdered with gold (maki-e), gold mosaic detail (kirikane), silver and gold mount. Decorated with a palace (or temple) in a lakeside landscape. Silver powder detail. The edges are secured with silver mounts lined with gold. The simplicity of the understated decoration indicates that this box was created for a Japanese patron; for export, the decoration would have been ostentatious. Similarly, the presence of solid gold in the mount and the purple silk cord also indicate Japanese taste. It is a very high-quality lacquer and, above all, in excellent condition, which is extremely rare. This is an exceptional object. Dimensions: 148 x 118 x 112 mm. Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century. Preserved in its original Japanese box. No markings.