Wood and lacquer lectern (kendai) with a drawer at the foot. Takamaki-e decoration representing an eagle on a rocky promontory, surrounded by vegetation. Head down and wings half unfolded, it is about to fly away, perhaps to hunt its prey.

The eagle is considered as the king of birds. Its tail feathers are said to be the best feathers for an arrow. It is said that these were given to the imperial court and to the shrine of Ise (Mie prefecture), one of the most sacred places in Shinto.

The kendai is a support for reading books, poems or music scores. Its existence is attested since the Nara period (710-794).

Japon – Meiji era (1868-1912)

Height: 20 in. (51 cm) – width: 17 in. (43 cm) – depth: 8.2 in. (21 cm)