Antique 19th Century Japanese Lacquered Storage Box / Tea Caddy (Meiji Period)

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Antique 19th Century Japanese Lacquered Storage Box / Tea Caddy (Meiji Period)
£195.00
Item number: B/S2B/001

Description:

An exquisite piece of late 19th-century Japanese decorative art, this antique lacquered storage chest and tea caddy showcases the fine craftsmanship of Meiji-era urushi lacquerwork. Built over a precise wooden core and embellished with intricate hand-detailed figural scenes in raised gold relief (maki-e style), this piece seamlessly combines historical utility with timeless aesthetic appeal. Featuring detailed double-door panels and decorative brass mountings, it serves as a refined display piece or sophisticated storage for teas, jewelry, and small heirlooms.

Key Features & Specifications:

  • Era: Late 19th Century (Meiji Period, c. 1880–1900)

  • Origin: Japan

  • Materials: Seasoned wooden core, natural urushi tree-sap lacquer, decorative brass mountings, gold pigment accents

  • Finish: Multi-layered hand-applied deep black lacquer with raised gilded relief

  • Functionality: Fitted interior compartments designed for air-tight storage and humidity protection

  • Condition: Antique condition with authentic age-appropriate patina and wear

Background History & Craftsmanship

  • The Master Art of Urushi Lacquer: Natural Japanese lacquer is distilled from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree. Crafting a piece like this required applying dozens of paper-thin layers over a shaped wooden frame. Each coat had to cure in warm, humid drying chambers (muro) for days before being hand-polished with charcoal powder, resulting in a moisture-resistant finish with a mirror-like luster.

  • The Meiji Era & Export Craze (1868–1912): Following the end of Japan's period of national isolation (sakoku), Japanese artisans displayed their fine lacquerware, ceramics, and metalwork at World's Fairs in Vienna, Paris, and Chicago. The exceptional quality captivated European connoisseurs, sparking a global wave of Japonisme, where wealthy Western collectors sought out these lacquered tea boxes and cabinets for their drawing rooms.

  • Preservation in Japanese Tea Culture: In Japanese tea traditions (Chanoyu), protecting loose tea leaves from ambient air, moisture, and light was essential to preserving delicate aromas. Master joiners designed tight-fitting inner lids and double doors to create a natural, insulated seal long before modern airtight containers existed.

  • Gilded Relief (Maki-e) & Symbolism: The raised golden figures and landscape vignettes decorated across the exterior panels reflect traditional Japanese folklore and natural scenery. The gilded relief technique involved sprinkling fine gold powder onto damp lacquer to create dimensional imagery that catches the light from every angle.

Care Guidelines

  • Display: Place away from direct sunlight, bright spotlighting, and radiators to prevent UV fading or wood contraction.

  • Maintenance: Dust gently using a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid water immersion, steam, alcohol, or household chemical cleaners.