Japanese Lacquer: Maki-e and Urushi from the Edo Period to Today

his collection highlights the refined art of Japanese lacquerware, featuring Maki-e and Urushi pieces from the Edo period to the present.

Each work—whether a writing box, tray, or ceremonial cup—is crafted through layers of natural lacquer and adorned with gold or silver powder in the Maki-e tradition. These pieces reflect the beauty of impermanence, the depth of handcraft, and the enduring elegance of Japanese design across centuries.

Sakazuki, Japan, Edo period (1603-1868) Shorinsai

Object Number: #JLP226
Title: A Sakazuki, Sake cup with maki-e design of carp in waves and a waterfall.
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist: Shorinsai 松隣斎
Period: Edo Period to Meiji
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer Maki-e with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: D: 20.0cm 7.87 Inches
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original signed black lacquer Tomobako storage box. 出世鯉大盃 (Shusse-goi O’sakazuki)

A large Rinpa Document Box, Bunko-Bako

object Number: #JLB520
Title: A large Rinpa Document Box, Bunko-Bako
Edo period, 19th century
Dimensions: D:41.0 cm W: 32.0 cm H:14.0 cm
Silver and gold maki-e lacquer on Golden ground.
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period: Edo period
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer Maki-e with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: D:41.0 cm W: 32.0 cm H:14.0 cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original signed black lacquer Tomobako storage box.

Meiji Era Makie Sakazuki

Object Number: #JLP461
Title: Maki-e Sakazuki cup with landscape design. Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period: Meiji Era
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood Dimensions: D: 15.2cm H: 5.3cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed Documentation and wooden tomobako storage box. The sealed note: Date: April 15, 1870. The 3rd yrar of the Meiji Era. It is a "Tenpai" which means it was a gift from the Emperor. The recipient is Hamuro Nagakuni who was a Count.

A Wajima Lacquer Writing Box (Suzuribako) 硯箱

Object Number: #JL338
Title: Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Landscape Design Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period: Date:
Materials: Black lacquer ground with gold and silver maki-e Dimensions:
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Edo Period Clothing Tray, Midare- Bako

Object Number: #JL343
Title: Clothing Tray (Midare-bako)
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist: Unknown
Period: edo period (1603-186)
Date: 18th Century
Materials: Lacquered wood with gold, hiramaki-e, on black lacquer ground
Dimensions: L: 25.5cm W: 24.0cm H: 3.5cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Large Wood Lacquer Round Box with Lid

Object Number: #JL229
Title: Large wood lacquer round box with lid, Traditional hand painted Maki-e in, gold.
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Meij Era (1868-1912)
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: D: 19.0cm - H: 9.0cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Style Ogata Korin. An Inlaid Gold-Lacquer Writing Bundai Table.

Ogata Korin. Makie Writing Table - Bundai

Object Number: #JLT255
Title: Style Ogata Korin. An Inlaid Gold-Lacquer Writing Bundai Table.
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Meij Era (1868-1912)
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: L:51.3 W:34.5 H:11.8cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box. decorated in gold takamaki-e, gold and red hiramaki-e, hirame inlays of shell and pewter against a nashiji ground, the Bundai rectangular with rounded corners decorated with a flowering branches, inscribed Kōrin and sealed Hōshuku.

Large Meiji Period Urushi Makie Tea kaiseki Table Tray

Object Number: #JLT515
Title: Large Meiji Era Urushi Makie Table TrayTraditional hand painted Maki-e in, gold.
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Meij Era (1868-1912)
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold on wood
Dimensions: L: 70.0cm - H: 20.0cm W: 44.0cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Sake cup (sakazuki) with maki-e Cranes decoration.

Object Number: #JLB462

Title: Heisensai Jokyu Sakazuki with maki-e crane decoration.

Place of Origin: Japan

Artist: Heisensai Jokyu Period:

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Date: 19th Century

Materials: Lacquer and gold on wood

Style or Ware: Maki-e Gold Lacquer.

Dimensions: D: 14.2cm. 5.59Inch. H: 3.3cm.

Department: Japanese

Art Collection: Decorative Arts. Note:

Signed by the artist.

Meiji Era Maki-e Tray Hobon

Object Number: #JL337
Title: Meiji Era Maki-e Tray Hobon Traditional hand painted Maki-e in, gold and silver.
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Meij Era (1868-1912)
Date: 19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold on wood
Dimensions: L: 36.2cm W: 24.2cm H: 2.5cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Edo Period Wajima Lacquer Bowls Set

Object Number: #JLB261
Title: Very Rare Complete Set (5) of the 53 Stations of Tokaido Bowls with Lid from the Edo Period.
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Edo Era (1868-1912)
Date: 18th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold on wood
Dimensions: D12.5: 24.2cm H: 9.0cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note:

A cup (Sakazuki) with Design of Four Playing Horses. Edo period (1603–1868)

Object Number: #JLP330
Title: A cup (Sakazuki) with Design of Four Playing Horses. Edo period (1603–1868)
Place of Origin: Japan
Period: Edo Period (1603-1868)
Date: 18-19th Century
Materials: Lacquer with gold on wood
Dimensions: D: 10.2cm H: 2.3cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note:

Large Negoro Lobed Tray

Object Number: #JLB
Title: Large Negoro Lobed Tray
Place of Origin: Japan
Period:
Date:
Materials: Wood with coatings of red over black lacquer (Negoro ware)
Dimensions: D: 36.0cm H: 7.0cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note:

Black lacquered chrysanthemum maki-e gift tray with silver edge

Object Number: #JLT458
Title: Black lacquered chrysanthemum maki-e gift tray with silver edge
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period:
Date:
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: L: 33.8cm W: 23.8cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Large Urushi Makie Table Tray

Object Number: #JLT514
Title:
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period:
Date:
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: L: 55.0cm W: 39.0cm H: 14.5cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Tray with Fern Motif, Taisho, Showa Era.

Object Number: #JLT517
Title:
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period:
Date:
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: L: 29.0cm W:29.0cm H:4.5cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Urushi and Makie lacquer footed dish with turtles. Edo Period (1603-1868)

Object Number: #JLT228
Title: Urushi and Makie lacquer footed dish with turtles. Period: Edo Period (1603-1868)
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist:
Period:
Date:
Materials: Lacquer with gold and silver on wood
Dimensions: D: 17.5cm H: 11.0cm
Department: Japanese
Art Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: With the Original Signed wooden tomobako storage box.

Extra large Maki-e Lacquer Bowl.

Object Number: #JBL463
Title: Extra large Maki-e Lacquer Bowl.
Place of Origin: Japan
Artist: Made by Eisho
Period:
Date:
Materials: Lacquer with gold on wood
Dimensions: D: 36.5cm H: 12.5cm
Department: Japanese Art
Collection: Decorative Arts
Note: