David Lay FRICS
Lot 14
A Japanese hardwood and ivory shodana, Meiji Period, by Shoso Kosen, bearing two character signature and red seal, with various shelves, cupboards, recesses and drawers inlaid in ivory, bone, mother of pearl and lacquer with numerous animals, insects, flower and family subjects including children, gardeners, a smoking man sat on faggot bales, a mother with two children, the stem of a large blossom on a basketweave ground, praying mantis, rhinoceros beetle, sparrows and quail on openwork base, height 144cm, width 125cm, depth 40cm.Provenance: from the deceased estate of a private collector, The Lizard, Cornwall. Condition report:The numerous images show the condition. Of the fourteen pictorial panels to the sides, front and inside the hinged doors only one minor loss of the tip of a bamboo blade is noted. To the gallery at the back of the centre shelf there are two missing pieces from the ivory capping rail. Otherwise there is a missing roundel/Mon to a shelf side rail.The four crouching ivory beasts are present as are the top ivory caps. All carved ivory door and drawer knobs are present.The back is finished.There are numerous breaks, mends and joint movements to the woodwork mostly visible from the back. Inside a sliding door is a label referring to expertise from these rooms. We understand the cabinet was acquired in Hong Kong in the 1960's by the deceased collector along with several other pieces from this estate.
