Japanese lacquer table cabinet or Kodansu, £21,000 at Tennants.
Made from lacquered and gilded wood, the small 15in (38cm) wide table cabinet or kodansuwas applied to the exterior with high relief lacquered decoration representing various sagemono (netsuke, ojime, inro, kiseruzutsu and tabakoire).
The fall front opens to reveal six drawers with compartments and a tray decorated to the facades with a colourful brocade pattern to one half and black lacquer to the other.
The auction house had dated this to the 19th century and described it as being in the manner of Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747). He was a talented painter and lacquer artist working in the Edo period who specialised in incorporating unusual materials into his works.
Japanese lacquer table cabinet or Kodansu, £21,000 at Tennants.
Signed works
Ogawa Haritsu’s signed works can make many thousands. Back in 2015, for example, Christie’s sold a writing box or suzuribako decorated with high relief lacquer appliques of tsuba for a premium-inclusive price of $30,000.
There are also, however, works described as in the style of or manner of Ogawa Haritsu that also appear on the market.
Tennants’ cabinet had some minor losses and damages including one missing handle but it had a very modest estimate of £500-700 which was easily surpassed on the day.
The hammer fell at £21,000 in Leyburn.
