Japanese
Namban Chest, mid 17th century
Lacquered wood, with gold and silver decoration, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, 33 x 56 x 26 cm (13 x 22 1/16 x 10 1/4 in.)
This Japanese chest is made of wood decorated with a faded black lacquer. The chest’s lid is curved into a dome-like barrel. The chest has metal hinges, metal handles on either side, and a metal piece at the front that accommodated a small lock and key. The outside of the chest has dozens of circular designs that are divided and bordered by strips of geometric designs. It is decorated with gold and silver and with mother of pearl inlaid in the circular areas and in diamond patterns at the edges. Small pieces of the chest appear to be missing.
Titian Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.