Jewellery box - Wood - Clam-shell Maki-e Drawers

03
days
20
hours
26
minutes
58
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
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Sandra Wong
Expert
Estimate  € 300 - € 500
CN
€1

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A vintage Japanese wooden chest with two drawers, decorated in Nashiji gold lacquer and maki-e hamaguri reserves, measuring 17 cm high, 15.5 cm wide and 16 cm deep.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Item Description
This is a small Japanese lacquered chest (kobako / decorative cabinet) featuring two drawers, finished in a nashiji-style gold lacquer with dark reddish-brown accents throughout. Each drawer front is decorated with a hamaguri-shaped (clam-shell) reserve in gold maki-e technique: the upper drawer depicts bellflowers and grasses against a black ground, while the lower drawer shows a stylised landscape with a textile-pattern element in orange and gold. Both drawers are fitted with ornate silver-toned pull handles in a leaf-and-ring design, and the top of the chest has a small twist-lock fastener. The piece stands on a integrated lacquered base and the interior of the drawers is finished in plain black lacquer.

The overall aesthetic reflects traditional Japanese wagoro (small furniture) craftsmanship, combining maki-e gold sprinkle work with painted lacquer detail, suitable for storing small accessories, jewellery, or decorative objects.

Size
Height: 17 cm
Width: 15.5 cm
Depth: 16 cm

Weight
708 g

Condition
The lacquer surface shows the expected age-related patina, with light wear consistent with a vintage piece; the gold maki-e decoration and silver handles remain intact and well preserved. No major losses, cracks, or repairs are visible upon inspection; the drawers open and close smoothly.

Additional Information
Material: wood with gold and lacquer maki-e decoration (nashiji ground), metal drawer pulls
Style: traditional Japanese lacquerware (wagoro), likely mid-to-late 20th century
Origin: Japan

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Item Description
This is a small Japanese lacquered chest (kobako / decorative cabinet) featuring two drawers, finished in a nashiji-style gold lacquer with dark reddish-brown accents throughout. Each drawer front is decorated with a hamaguri-shaped (clam-shell) reserve in gold maki-e technique: the upper drawer depicts bellflowers and grasses against a black ground, while the lower drawer shows a stylised landscape with a textile-pattern element in orange and gold. Both drawers are fitted with ornate silver-toned pull handles in a leaf-and-ring design, and the top of the chest has a small twist-lock fastener. The piece stands on a integrated lacquered base and the interior of the drawers is finished in plain black lacquer.

The overall aesthetic reflects traditional Japanese wagoro (small furniture) craftsmanship, combining maki-e gold sprinkle work with painted lacquer detail, suitable for storing small accessories, jewellery, or decorative objects.

Size
Height: 17 cm
Width: 15.5 cm
Depth: 16 cm

Weight
708 g

Condition
The lacquer surface shows the expected age-related patina, with light wear consistent with a vintage piece; the gold maki-e decoration and silver handles remain intact and well preserved. No major losses, cracks, or repairs are visible upon inspection; the drawers open and close smoothly.

Additional Information
Material: wood with gold and lacquer maki-e decoration (nashiji ground), metal drawer pulls
Style: traditional Japanese lacquerware (wagoro), likely mid-to-late 20th century
Origin: Japan

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Details

Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Clam-shell Maki-e Drawers
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Japan
Material
Wood
Style
Vintage
Colour
Multicolour
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
17 cm
Width
15.5 cm
Depth
16 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
JapanVerified
5198
Objects sold
99.09%
protop

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