A fine black-lacquer shodana (display shelf)Edo period (1615-1868), early/mid-19th century
Supported on a rectangular base, comprising two sets of sliding doors, a pair of hinged cupboards, staggered shelves and four drawers of varying size, the surfaces decorated with an all-over autumnal scene in gold takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and mura-nashiji with details in kirikane and e-nashiji depicting a migrating flock of geese in flight above rural landscape, the sides and thin borders embellished inside and outside with repeated stylized ho-o birds in flight and holding in their beaks stylized sprays of kikyo (Chinese bellflower), the inside of the pair of large doors similarly decorated with rice stooks hanging out to dry in front of a thatched dwelling on one side and six geese flying towards a flowering maple tree on the banks of a winding river on the other, the reverse similarly lacquered with further migrating geese or beside autumnal plants of susuki (pampas grass) and kuzu (kudzu vine), applied throughout with silver mounts engraved with repeated stylized birds matching those of the sides and borders, the inside of all drawers and doors lacquered in rich dense nashiji; unsigned. 79.5cm x 76.5cm x 36cm (31¼in x 30 1/8in x 14 1/8in).