Saddle

From Japan
Edo period, equivalent to AD 1659

This is an outstanding example from the mid-seventeenth century revival of lacquer styles of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (that is, 1185-1568). The whole saddle is decorated with lacquer and inlay designs. The outer sides are decorated in takamakie and tortoiseshell inlay with dragons among clouds. The seat is chequered with mother-of-pearl and the inner sides have fine mother-of-pearl inlay in linked circles.

The date is given in an ink inscription on the base.

L. Smith, V. Harris and T. Clark, Japanese art: masterpieces in (London, The British Museum Press, 1990)

, Hakubutsukan shozō Nihon-Ch (Tokyo National Museum, 1987)

L. Smith and V. Harris, Japanese decorative arts from (London, The British Museum Press, 1982)