Mid-19th Century Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Altar Table, Japan, Edo Period

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An antique Japanese table with inlaid mother-of-pearl (Raden) and gold maki-e over brown lacquer. Japan, late Edo period, possibly earlier.

… Read more An antique Japanese table with inlaid mother-of-pearl (Raden) and gold maki-e over brown lacquer. Japan, late Edo period, possibly earlier.

Raden (螺鈿) is a traditional Japanese decorative technique, originating in the Nara period, used to inlay thin layers of mother-of-pearl or abalone shells into lacquerware or wood. This meticulous craft creates shimmering, iridescent patterns throughout the finish of a piece.

The rectangular top surface on this table is set on a raised dais pierced on all sides, supported by a scalloped apron on cabriole feet carved with leaf designs, entirely decorated in gold maki-e and mother-of-pearl Raden inlays on dark brown lacquer.

It features a landscape scene with blooming Wisteria, a large tree with flowers, birds, water side huts, rocks and rippling waves of water.

The rectangle is framed by a checkerboard border in mother-of pearl squares and floral lozenges, ending in a raised lip. The sides and legs are decorated with a geometric maki-e pattern, plus butterflies, birds and wisteria leaves.

The top surface presents a slight damage (see pictures), and some mother-of-pearl elements are lost, but the piece remains in very good condition, both in its surface and structure. See less