Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Wood Kodansu Small Chest with Drawers Meiji Period

An antique Japanese Kodansu with two compartments and multiple drawers with red lacquer finish and gold Maki-e and wonderful Raden shell inlays decoration. This rather unusual piece was likely made on Ryukyu Islands circa late 19th century as a desk-top chest for small jewelry and valuables for the export market. The configuration was not typical Japanese Kodansu but more influenced by earlier Namban chests made for the west during Momoyama period and resembles a European miniature bureau or secrétaire. The upper part features a roll top door that opens to five small drawers and a central secret compartment with a removable panel. The lower part is enclosed behind a tambour door subtly inlayed with fine abalone shells (Raden) that shimmers on a dark background. The tambour door slides to reveal four drawers on two rows. The exterior of the chest was lacquered red on which elaborate gold Maki-e, both hiramaki-e and takamaki-e, were used to depict several sceneries. These include two large vignettes of pheasants under bamboos and star-leaf plants on top, and mandarin ducks nesting on the branch of a flowering plum trees on the roll top door. Sandwiched in between is a classic landscape of boats sailing on the water with mountains in the background, set within a cartouche with geometrical border. Both sides were decorated with gilt floral painting that depicts orchids and vining flowers. The back was finished as well in a similar manner. The interior drawers were lacquered black on which gilt floral motifs were painted. The inner surface of the drawers was all finished in a lovely mura-Nashiji cluster motifs, showing the attention to the details by the artisans. Chased copper hardware were used as braces on the corner of the cabinet as well as the mini pulls for the drawers.