{"product_id":"japanese-lacquer-box-with-maki-e-swallows-reed-decoration-meiji-c-1900","title":"Japanese Lacquer Box with Maki-e Swallows \u0026 Reed Decoration – Meiji, c.1900","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis box has a story to tell, and it tells it entirely in gold on red lacquer. Which is, frankly, the best way to tell a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese lacquer box (bako) from the Meiji period, circa 1900\u003c\/strong\u003e, decorated in the \u003cstrong\u003emaki-e technique\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the most labour-intensive and revered art forms in Japanese craft. In maki-e, gold powder is carefully sprinkled onto wet urushi lacquer to build up an image layer by layer. The result on this box is a masterclass in the form: \u003cstrong\u003etwo swallows in full flight\u003c\/strong\u003e above a landscape of swaying reeds and bamboo stalks, with a crescent moon rising in the upper corner. The foreground is rendered in deep \u003cstrong\u003eblack lacquer with a textured, granular surface\u003c\/strong\u003e suggesting water or earth, while the background glows in \u003cstrong\u003edeep cinnabar red\u003c\/strong\u003e. The border of the lid is decorated with \u003cstrong\u003echrysanthemum roundels and gold scrollwork\u003c\/strong\u003e on a dark ground — a classic Meiji decorative vocabulary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe box itself is substantial and well-made: rounded square form with a fitted lid, \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal brass hinges and clasp\u003c\/strong\u003e, and a blue-grey lacquered interior. The sides show the characteristic silver-toned lacquer finish typical of export-quality Meiji pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is some \u003cstrong\u003eage-related lacquer cracking on the side\u003c\/strong\u003e — visible in the photographs — consistent with the natural ageing of urushi lacquer over 120+ years. This is a known characteristic of antique Japanese lacquerware and does not affect the lid decoration, which remains vivid and intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Urushi lacquer with maki-e gold decoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swallows in flight, reeds, crescent moon, chrysanthemum border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan — Meiji period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 × 18 × 7.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 340 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCirca:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1900\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFittings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original brass hinges and clasp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good antique condition; lacquer cracking on side — see photographs. Lid decoration intact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUse it as a jewellery box, a keepsake box, a decorative object on a console table, or simply as a reminder that in 1900, even a storage box was a work of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e⚠️ \u003cstrong\u003eWARNING:\u003c\/strong\u003e Once you own a maki-e lacquer box, every other box in your house will feel deeply embarrassed about itself. Maison de L’oro accepts no responsibility for any subsequent reorganisation of your storage solutions, the purchase of additional Japanese lacquerware, or the sudden urge to display your paperclips in something more dignified.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison de L'oro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53940559118679,"sku":"JAPAN-LACQUER-BOX-MAKIE-1900","price":35.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/4388\/5911\/files\/20260420-191705.jpg?v=1783189305","url":"https:\/\/maisondeloro.com\/products\/japanese-lacquer-box-with-maki-e-swallows-reed-decoration-meiji-c-1900","provider":"Maison de L'oro ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}