THE LACQUER LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY, THE STAND CIRCA 1725

This fine Japanese cabinet is comprised of rare panels from the 17th 18th centuries, depicting figures in a moonlit landscape and exotic birds amidst rocky scenes. These lacquer panels probably originally formed part of a Japanese cabinet or chest, which were reused by a European ébéniste or marchand. Japanese lacquer, an already highly-prized commodity in the first half of the 17th century, became even more of a matériau de luxe when Japan's relations with the rest of the world were severed in 1639, the country preserving only very limited trade relations with China and the Netherlands through the port of Nagasaki. Due to such trade restrictions, lacquer became almost exclusive to the trade of the marchands-merciers who paid dearly to adorn the most precious objets d'arts. Such objets en lacquer were often restored by marchands-merciers such as Lazare Duvaux, who would restore old Japanese lacquer pieces and create new confections with giltwood stands of the period. These stunning combinations were very much favored by famed patrons such as Madame de Pompadour, who owned a large quantity of lacquer boxes and caskets commissioned by Duvaux.
A very similar pair of cabinets on stands is illustrated in B. Pallot, Didier Aaron 1700-1880 Furniture and Objects D'Art, 1990, p. 12. A nearly identical cabinet (dating from the Edo period) and 19th century stand were sold Christie's, London, 6 July 2006, lot 33, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the form through the following centuries.