Quadrangular kobako box decorated with flowers in gold and blue lacquer with aogai inlay. Lid and sides in fundamelacquer, underside and interior in nashi-ji lacquer. Inside, a removable tray with gold fundame borders. Fitted with two gripping rings.

Provenance : Docteur Mène collection.

Doctor Édouard Mène (1833-18..?) was a doctor and vice-president of the Franco-Japanese Society. As great connoisseur of Japanese art, he began collecting Japanese objects such as armour and lacquerware in 1868 – when Japan opened up to the West. Following his death, his collection was sold at the Hôtel Drouot in April 1913[1].

Three collection labels glued underneath, one bearing the inscription “Collection du Dr Mène”, the others partially erased. Inside, glued label with the inscription “N°47”.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868), 18th century

Width: 2.4 in (6 cm) – depth: 2.4 in (6.3 cm) – height: 1.2 in (3 cm)

[1] N.s., « Collection du Docteur Mène », Le Journal des arts, 16 avril 1913, p. 2.