This is a masterpiece as it shows the fusion of east and west. It is rare as an object as it details the owner. The box shows through its decoration how Japanese craftsmen adopted imagery from Europe to decorate commissioned works. The rectangular metal box with slanted corner is hinged on the long side. With black lacquer ground it depicts Neptune in a chariot among waves looking up at Venus (Juno) in dove-drawn chariot in clouds. Decorated with cherry blossoms on the sides and white and blue shell, gold, black and red hiramakie with gold and silver inlay.

History of the Object

The box was made for a Dutch merchant working in Japan in 1822. The outside of the box is decorated with Neptune, Venus and cherry blossoms. Internally there is an inscription detailing who it was made for and the date. The box used to be in the Behrens Collection. (Reference no. 1065 cat no 198, illus pl XI)