Hide and seek' Fine JAPANESE 19th century lacquered album covers bone inlays

EXCELLENT EXAMPLES OF LATE 19TH CENTURY JAPANESE LACQUER WORK. Original Japanese polished lacquer covers - originally from a 19th century photograph album - with fine decoration and bone inlay, depicting a game of hide and seek. Two large panels of polished lacquer, comprising the original upper and lower boards from a Japanese photograph album. Panels remain conjoined with a leather spine, but could easily be separated. Upper board with maroon lacquered floral patterned border in orange and black, and with an inlaid panel with grey lacquer and gilt red and black decoration, in slight relief, and with bone inlays for the heads, arms and legs, depicting women and children playing a game of hide and seek.

A volcano, presumably Fuji-san, can be seen in the background. The lower board is maroon lacquer with a floral pattern in orange and brown. Verso of boards with original moiré paper backing.

Size: each board - 39.5cm x 32cm x 1.2cm. Near Fine (upper board) / Very Good (lower board) condition. Front board practically unblemished, with just a few small scratches, and several tiny chips to outer corners and edges. The rear board with some scuffs and scratches, and minor chips to corners. A couple of very small white marks where the lacquer has been chipped.

Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, and view gallery images closely. Two attractive highly polished Japanese maroon lacquer panels, with lavish decoration, which were originally the boards to a large late 19th century photograph album.

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