Furniture with shelves "Kazari-Dana". Japan, Edo period, 19th century.

Furniture with shelves "Kazari-Dana". Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Lacquered wood and bamboo decorations.
The two doors give access to three interior drawers and two drawers at the bottom.
Lacquered in ro-iro with gold lacquer hiramaki-e decoration and kirigane in medallions on nashiji background.
Measurements: 106 x 186 x 60 cm.

With the refined aesthetics and technical mastery that define Japanese art of the Edo period, we present this magnificent kazari-dana, a piece of shelf furniture that transcends its utilitarian function to become a work of art and a microcosm of Japanese cosmogony. Dating from the 19th century, this piece of furniture was not only used for the display of precious objects, but was itself an object of contemplation and a status symbol.

The structure, with its harmonious and balanced asymmetry, is made of finely worked wood. Its surface has been treated with the ro-iro technique, a black lacquering with a deep specular sheen, obtained through a meticulous hand-polishing process. This dark and solemn background serves as the backdrop for a dazzling decoration in hiramaki-e, a technique where gold lacquer motifs are applied in low relief, creating a subtle texture and a warm, restrained glow.

The ornamentation is displayed throughout the piece. The doors of the small cabinet and the lower drawer fronts are embellished with idyllic landscapes that invite meditation. They feature pavilions amidst nature, birds in flight and delicate flowers, classic elements of the Japanese artistic repertoire. The iconic depiction of Mount Fuji, Japan's sacred symbol, stands out majestically, with its snow-capped peak emerging on the horizon. To accentuate the visual richness, techniques such as kirigane, which consists of the application of small square pieces of gold leaf, and nashiji, a background of golden particles that evokes the skin of a Japanese pear, are used to give the medallions exceptional depth and luminosity.

The side panels, decorated with bamboo motifs, provide a contrasting visual element and add strength and flexibility.

The structure opens to reveal a thoughtful internal organization, with two doors guarding three interior drawers, complemented by two wider drawers at the base.

This kazari-dana is a sumptuous piece of furniture that synthesizes the essence of the art and craftsmanship of the Edo period, offering an eloquent testimony to the cultural sophistication of 19th century Japan.