Description
SOLD
This stunning Maezuku alter table is finished in a rich gold lead (kinpaku) and inlaid with repeating mother of pearl (raden) in a coin motif. I wonder how many prayers were said in front of this beautifully inlaid Edo period (1603-1867) stand. How much incense was lit? How many bows in reverence made and how many murmurings were said to the gods? If I close my eyes and remain still, I can almost smell the currents of incense floating through the air…
Period: Edo period (1603-1867)
Condition: Some damage to the top surface from years of use as shrine table. Overall condition is generally good although scratches and scrapes exist as is to be expected from a piece of this age.
Provenance: Japanese private collection
Dimensions (cm): Length 47 x Width 25.5 x Height 19
For a similar table of similar form with a slightly later dating, see A JAPANESE LACQUERED WOOD MAEZUKUE (ALTAR TABLE) EDO – MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY – CHRISTIES AUCTION HOUSE. THE DANI & ANNA GHIGO COLLECTION: PART II: ORIENTAL CARPETS, EUROPEAN FURNITURE, WORKS OF ART & TAPESTRIES, CHINESE, JAPANESE & SOUTH EAST ASIAN WORKS OF ART – LOT 5993232