Panel
1630-1690 (made)
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This panel is thought to have originally been part of a cabinet or screen made in Japan for the European market. Since lacquer had no natural equivalent in the West, Japanese lacquerware was always much in demand. This resulted in objects being cut up and reused when sections became damaged or when fashion changed. Although lacquerwork for the Japanese home market rarely depicted detailed figures, men and women dressed in kimono are often found on export products designed to appeal to Westerners.
Time
Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything seen before. It was much admired and was imported in large quantities throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer.
Places
High quality export lacquer was made to special order in Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. It was then transported to Deshima, a small island in Nagasaki harbour, for shipment abroad by Dutch merchants.
This panel is thought to have originally been part of a cabinet or screen made in Japan for the European market. Since lacquer had no natural equivalent in the West, Japanese lacquerware was always much in demand. This resulted in objects being cut up and reused when sections became damaged or when fashion changed. Although lacquerwork for the Japanese home market rarely depicted detailed figures, men and women dressed in kimono are often found on export products designed to appeal to Westerners.
Time
Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything seen before. It was much admired and was imported in large quantities throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer.
Places
High quality export lacquer was made to special order in Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. It was then transported to Deshima, a small island in Nagasaki harbour, for shipment abroad by Dutch merchants.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, covered in black lacquer, with gold, black and red hiramaki-e and takamaki-e, inlaid with silver and gold foil and mother-of-pearl |
| Brief description | Japanese Lacquer panel |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This panel depicts a picnic at cherry blossom time. Lacquer was highly prized by Europeans and scenes depicting figures were considered particularly exotic. This panel probably came from a cabinet or screen. After 1693 cheaper, Chinese lacquer was imported instead of Japanese lacquer. Existing pieces became highly desirable and were cut up and reused.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | The Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Made in Japan, for the European market |
| Production | For the European market |
| Summary | Object Type This panel is thought to have originally been part of a cabinet or screen made in Japan for the European market. Since lacquer had no natural equivalent in the West, Japanese lacquerware was always much in demand. This resulted in objects being cut up and reused when sections became damaged or when fashion changed. Although lacquerwork for the Japanese home market rarely depicted detailed figures, men and women dressed in kimono are often found on export products designed to appeal to Westerners. Time Japanese lacquerware was first shipped to Europe during the late 16th century and was quite unlike anything seen before. It was much admired and was imported in large quantities throughout the 17th century. Most European country houses and palaces possessed examples of Japanese export lacquer. Places High quality export lacquer was made to special order in Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. It was then transported to Deshima, a small island in Nagasaki harbour, for shipment abroad by Dutch merchants. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.181-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
