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Portable Cabinet with Drawers

16th century
Not on view
This cabinet belongs to a category of goods known as nanban (literally, "southern barbarians"), which were produced in Japan in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries for trade with Portugal and other European countries. The form of the cabinet derives from writing chests used in Portugal and Spain. Comparable works, made with wood, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, and ivory, were produced in India for the same markets. The leaves and flowers and the geometric borders seen here are not found on contemporaneous works made for use in Japan. It is possible that they demonstrate an awareness of Indian designs transmitted via such trade goods as lacquers and textiles.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portable Cabinet with Drawers
  • Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
  • Date: 16th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Gold maki-e on black lacquer, inlaid with mother-of-pearl; silver mounts
  • Dimensions: H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm); W. 10 5/8 in. (27 cm); D.10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.500.2.29a–k
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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