Lot 4. A Lacquer Casket Commissioned by the Portuguese, Momoyama period, late 16th century © Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The rectangular casket with domed hinged cover, decorated in gold hiramaki-e and inlaid in mother-of-pearl on a black ground, the cover and the front with camellia and kiri [paulownia], the sides with morning glory and vines, the back with further vines, each panel bordered with bands of geometric patterns and namban tendril, copper fittings engraved with stylised flowers - 22.3cm. wide

Note: For another similar example, see Sezon Museum of Art and Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art, eds., ‘Porutogaru to Nanban bunka’ ten: mezase toho no kuniguni [‘Portugal and Namban culture’ exhibition : Via Orientals] (Japan, 1993), p. 194-195, no. 168 (the Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Luz collection, Arraiolos).

A similar example sold Christie’s London, 20 November 1990, lot 1006. 

Christie's on line. JAPANESE ART AT THE ENGLISH COURT