A Japanese Edo period chest made of wood veneered with different parquetry designs. The canisters are lacquered and decorated with delicate gold designs.

This caddy is included in our forthcoming book www.hygra.com/cover 

 9" wide 4.75"deep 6" tall 

 Circa 1870. 

 Oak, ash, fruitwoods, and ebony are combined in interesting patterns which utilize the qualities of the figure of the wood to surprise and delight.  

Detail of the top showing the bold virtuosity of the craftsman/artist and his respect for the natural material at hand.

 The inside of the lid is lacquered and gold decorated.

Inside the box there are two lacquered canisters decorated with gold.

The decoration of fine plants and birds asymmetrically arranged, is rooted in Japanese art tradition. Japanese art became popular in England during the last decades of the 19th century, with the opening up of Japanese trade. 

The sparse and surprising patterns of this genre were seen as an antidote to the heavy Victorian decoration.   

The design continues on all sides. This is the back. 

The lid is slightly "smiley" on one side.