Trunk, anonymous, c. 1600
lacquering, h 47.5cm × w 93.8cm × d 40.1cm More details
This trunk is decorated with gold lacquer and inlaid mother-of-pearl. This type of lacquerware is called Nanban. The Japanese used this word to refer to foreign traders in Japan – first the Portuguese and, from 1609, also the Dutch. The shape of the trunk and its scenes follow European models. The mother-of-pearl bands imitate the metal mounts on a Western-style European chest.
