{"product_id":"antique-japanese-lacquer-box-green-mini-glass-hour-box-copy","title":"ANTIQUE 19th CENTURY JAPANESE URUSHI LACQUER BOX","description":"\u003cp\u003eExtremely rare 19th century antique Japanese urushi lacquered wooden box featuring gold brass and mother of pearl ducks inlaid motif.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17cm x 14cm x 6cm, in good condition. Acquired in 2024 from the Tokyo Heiwajima Antique Fair. To find an original urushi box in this condition for its age is extremely rare. Stunning offer from our private collection. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe art of URUSHI:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe history of the Japanese lacquer urushi box spans over 9,000 years, evolving from a prehistoric survival tool into an ultimate symbol of imperial and samurai luxury. Crafted from the toxic sap of the urushi tree, these containers were designed to safely store sacred relics, documents, cosmetics, and calligraphy tools. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAn urushi box is made by carving a stable wooden base, applying dozens of ultra-thin layers of processed urushi tree sap, curing each layer in high humidity, and frequently polishing the surface to a deep, durable gloss. This meticulous craftsmanship can take anywhere from several months to over a year. \u003cspan\u003eBefore the final clear or colored coats, decorative techniques like \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" jsaction=\"\" jscontroller=\"KdQfFc#d5Qebf\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" jsuid=\"l0d4If_34\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", \"Helvetica Neue\", sans-serif; font-size: 17.92px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003emaki-e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (sprinkling gold or silver powder onto wet lacquer) or mother-of-pearl inlay may be applied. The piece is then meticulously buffed using fine charcoal and polishing powders (like deer horn powder) until it achieves its signature mirror-like, water-resistant sheen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eSamurai Patronage and Global Export\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMuromachi \u0026amp; Edo Periods (1338–1868): The rise of the samurai and daimyo elite fueled massive demand for opulent, museum-quality suzuribako and stacking food boxes (jubako) featuring complex raised gold takamaki-e and pear-skin nashiji backgrounds. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eEuropean Trade: Through the Dutch East India Company, urushi chests and boxes reached \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eAmsterdam\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e by 1610, stunning European royalty who later tried to imitate the finish as \"japanning\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GLASS ET CETERA","offers":[{"title":"Brown \/ Decor \/ Urushi box","offer_id":58758518833312,"sku":null,"price":920.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0422\/9395\/2672\/files\/8D032A54-05FD-48C3-8E73-164C24A010C1.jpg?v=1787558346","url":"https:\/\/glassetc.shop\/en-ca\/products\/antique-japanese-lacquer-box-green-mini-glass-hour-box-copy","provider":"GLASS ET CETERA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}