Jewelry box; Japan, Meiji, c. 1890.

Jewelry box; Japan, Meiji, c. 1890.
Lacquered wood and mother-of-pearl.
Presents faults and restorations.
Measurements: 8 x 21 x 17 cm.
Jewelry box made in Japan around 1890 belongs to the Meiji period, a period of profound political, social and artistic transformation after the opening of the country to international trade. During these years, Japan actively promoted the export of decorative arts, adapting traditional techniques to Western tastes.
The piece is made of lacquered wood, probably using techniques derived from urushi, and decorated with mother-of-pearl applications that form floral and vegetal motifs. The contrast between the dark background and the iridescent sheens is the result of a meticulous aesthetic, characteristic of Japanese workshops oriented to the European and American markets.