Casket Decorated with Animal Scenes

1573-1603

The refined decoration of this small chest sprinkled with gold dust in the maki-e technique was practised in Japan in the Momoyama era (1568–1600) and at the start of the Edo period (1600–1868). These objects made from lacquer include inlays of mother-of-pearl and gold paint. Like other namban works produced for export, they reflect Western taste and were often based on European prototypes. Such chests, with a rounded lid, were used to store clothes in European homes and ships and were very highly prized.