An unusual and rare kin'karakawa (gold Chinese 'leather') coffer


Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th centuryThe hinged cover, outside and inside narrow edges covered entirely with thick layered paper, probably kozo (mulberry) simulating leather, impressed and reinforced with persimmon tannin, decorated with a profusion of roundels enclosing repeated bird-and-flower and figural motifs, the details enhanced with gold lacquer, all tightly clustered and reserved on a whorl-patterned ground, the edges applied with metal studs in form of small stylised florettes, each side of the coffer attached with bracket carrying handles; the interior plain and lined with a green-stained cotton textile. 39cm x 50.7cm x 33cm (15 3/8in x 19 7/8in x 13in).
|ProvenanceA French private collection.