A Finely Decorated Japanese Export Lacquer Portrait Medallion on Copper. Entitled ‘Francois Marie Duc de Brogue’ around the rim. Last quarter of the 18th Century. Photo courtesy Finch & Co

Decorated in gold hirahaki-e and kinji on a Roironuri ground, the reverse inscribed ‘Maréchal de France Governeur de Strasbourg Comandant D’Alsace et General des Armees du poi ne le 12 Janvier 1671 mort le 24 May 1740’. Lacquer, Metal, Gilt. Size: 12cm high, 9cm wide, 0.5cm deep – 4¾ ins high, 3½ ins wide, ¼ ins deep. FOR SALE

A Finely Decorated Japanese Export Lacquer Portrait Medallion on Copper. Entitled ‘D.N. Heraclivs. AVG’ depicting the Roman Emperor Constantine II and his wife. Last quarter of 18th Century. Photo courtesy Finch & Co

decorated in gold hirahaki-e and kinji on a Roironuri ground, the reverse inscribed in Latin ‘Constans II Heraclius in Numis Dictus Imper. DNXXV MENS VI DI V Sedentb 9 Theodoro Martino Eugenio El Vitdliano. O CCIS 9 A CDCLXVIII.’. Lacquer, Metal, Gilt. Size: 12cm high, 9cm wide, 0.5cm deep – 4¾ ins high, 3½ ins wide, ¼ ins deep. FOR SALE

Literature

These plaques were made for the European export market in Sasaya in Japan in the last quarter of the 18th century. They were exclusively exported by the Dutch East Indies Company who were the only western merchants who had the privilege and authority to trade with Japan. The portraits are taken from various popular print series. This example is from the famous Europeans in ‘L’Europe Ilustre’ by Dreux du Radier of Paris 1777. The captions that occur on the print are written in gilt lacquer to the back of each medallion. Rendered in minute and fine detail, the Japanese craftsman has faithfully copied the stippling found on the original engraving. 

Constantine II was made Caesar by his father Constantine I on the 8th November 324 AD. He founded Constantinople on the site of Byzantium. These Japanese export plaques were highly fashionable at the end of the 18th century when they were regarded as exotic oriental wares. This plaque is based on one of a series of European engravings of the Roman Emperors, and has been carefully copied in exquisite gold lacquer relief by the Japanese artist.

Note: for sale individually or as a pair.

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