Basin
1600-1630 (made)
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Most Japanese export lacquer was made to order in forms suited to Western interiors and lifestyles. This object corresponds to the basin of a European metalwork basin and ewer set, which would be used for washing hands after dinner.
Time
Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything that had been seen there before. It became extremely sought after and was imported in large numbers throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer.
Design & Designing
Up until the 1620s export lacquer was produced in a distinctive style known as Namban. This was a manner of decoration that combined elements of Chinese, Korean and Gujurati work from India. It made extensive use of inlaid mother-of-pearl with gold and black lacquer. The decoration covered the entire surface and included the use of ornate borders, characteristics not found on lacquerware made for the home market in Japan. The Namban style is found both on objects for the foreign market and on religious paraphernalia used by Japanese Christians.
Most Japanese export lacquer was made to order in forms suited to Western interiors and lifestyles. This object corresponds to the basin of a European metalwork basin and ewer set, which would be used for washing hands after dinner.
Time
Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything that had been seen there before. It became extremely sought after and was imported in large numbers throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer.
Design & Designing
Up until the 1620s export lacquer was produced in a distinctive style known as Namban. This was a manner of decoration that combined elements of Chinese, Korean and Gujurati work from India. It made extensive use of inlaid mother-of-pearl with gold and black lacquer. The decoration covered the entire surface and included the use of ornate borders, characteristics not found on lacquerware made for the home market in Japan. The Namban style is found both on objects for the foreign market and on religious paraphernalia used by Japanese Christians.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, covered in black lacquer, with gold hiramaki-e lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay |
| Brief description | Japanese Namban lacquer basin |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
As European trade with Asia expanded between 1600 and 1700 more lacquerware was imported. Japanese craftsmen created a style of lacquerware specially for export, known as Namban. This basin is typical of the Namban style. The decoration of gold and mother-of-pearl fills the entire surface of the object.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Presented by Art Fund |
| Object history | Made in Japan, for the Western market The Sutherland Bequest through the National Art Collections Fund, an independent charity |
| Production | Made for the Western market |
| Summary | Object Type Most Japanese export lacquer was made to order in forms suited to Western interiors and lifestyles. This object corresponds to the basin of a European metalwork basin and ewer set, which would be used for washing hands after dinner. Time Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything that had been seen there before. It became extremely sought after and was imported in large numbers throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer. Design & Designing Up until the 1620s export lacquer was produced in a distinctive style known as Namban. This was a manner of decoration that combined elements of Chinese, Korean and Gujurati work from India. It made extensive use of inlaid mother-of-pearl with gold and black lacquer. The decoration covered the entire surface and included the use of ornate borders, characteristics not found on lacquerware made for the home market in Japan. The Namban style is found both on objects for the foreign market and on religious paraphernalia used by Japanese Christians. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.13-1957 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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