Japanese Lacquer Medallion With Gold Maki-e Decoration On A Black Background, 18th Century

Lacquer medallion decorated with gold maki-e on a black background representing the portrait of Anne Le Fevre in bust, surmounted by her name in capital letters. Equipped with a bail; inscription on the back: "Woman of Mr Dacier Born in Saumur; Died on August 17, 1720. Aged 68 Years Japan for export, Dutch East India Company, Edo period, late 18th century. Very slight losses in the Lacquer H. 12 x L. 9 cm History: Long after the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1640, Japan continued to manufacture lacquers for export. 18th century artists were able to take advantage of the gold lacquer processes to transpose western engravings like here. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam thus preserves several examples of this refined art. Anne Le Fevre, wife Ironside, was a Hellenist and French scholar. Her portrait engraved by Robert Gaillard is kept in the National Portrait Gallery "Edinburgh in Scotland. The same legend is inscribed on it as on the back of this medallion. Bibliography: C. Shimizu, Les laques du Japon, Paris, 1988, pp. 225-227.