THE ITEM
A stunning work of late 18th century European Japonist design with Sakura Cherry blossom relief decor.
The body is made of copper, decorated with blossom and stem relief decor throughout, supported at the base by a stylised foot at each corner and complimented with a hinged handle on the top.
The decor on the front face of the unit is framed by a scroll trim and the whole piece is finished with a silver plating overlay, which has aged with a naturally worn patina. Inlays of wood form the drawer section, each drawer is finished with a hinged handle and can be locked/unlocked using the accompanying key.
A BIT OF HISTORY
"From the 1860s through to the 1890s, the rise of Japonisme and the Art Nouveau movement meant few could resist the obsession with all things Japanese. Superbly crafted and often highly decorated Japanese objects – lacquer, metalwork, ceramics, enamels and other decorative items rich in new and exotic subject matter – stimulated and inspired Western artists and craftsmen to produce their own works. Arts of the Meiji period (1868–1912) were displayed at international exhibitions, in the galleries of influential dealers and at fashionable stores in London, Paris and Vienna.
Artists from Van Gogh, Whistler, Monet, Manet, Klimt and Schiele were all, to varying degrees, influenced by the arts of Japan. Van Gogh himself stated that he owed his inspiration to Japanese art, but he was probably not conscious of the full extent to which art in Europe had already been greatly influenced by that of Japan."
[Source: Japonisme and the Rise of the Modern Art Movement, The Arts of the Meiji Period by Gregory Irvine]
CONDITION
Excellent, only light use and age wear (wear commensurable with age of the piece).
MEASUREMENTS
c. 6.3" / 16 cm tall x c. " / cm in length x c. " / cm in width
Unpackaged weight: 1.3 kg / 1,293 g
NOTES
Drawers will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.