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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1220245
FOR SALE
£12,500
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19th century Japanese Meiji Period Shodona Display Cabinet
Martlesham Antiques
for sale €14,625     $15,875
£12,500

Martlesham Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2008
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  • Trade Associations
    Martlesham Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 
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Id #SA1220245
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19th century Japanese Meiji Period Shodona Display Cabinet

19th century
Description

A fabulous quality and impressive large Japanese hardwood Shodona from the Meiji period, the lovely carved pediment incorporating a large winged bird and having mythical creatures either side, the cabinet consisting of various shelves, panels, cupboards and drawers painted and inlaid with mother of pearl, ivory and bone, the carved and pierced fretwork is very good quality, lovely engraved handles on the doors, each panel depicting a wildlife scene and the detail is superb.  The cabinet sitting on a separate stand which has carved floral fretwork and scroll feet.  This piece is in excellent condition and the detail is truly superb, a fine work of art.  Circa 1880.

Please note: Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018

REF: 734ED5SM

54 1/2" x 14 3/4" x 88" high

138cms x 38cms x 224cms high

Physical Dimensions
Height
224cm (88.19")
Width
138cm (54.33")
Depth
38cm (14.96")
Declaration

Martlesham Antiques has dated this Japanese Meiji Shodona Cabinet to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1220245
Dealers Internal Reference
3826
Dealers Notes

Free shipping within mainland UK

We ship worldwide, please email for a shipping quote.

Martlesham Antiques is a family run business and has been trading since 1984. Located in Suffolk just outside Woodbridge, Martlesham Antiques is run from a spacious thatched cottage housing nine large showrooms with a vast adjacent car park.

Specialising in 18th and 19th Century furniture, together with creating custom hand-made furniture which is supplied to various interior designers, trade and the retail market. Every piece on the showroom floor is in excellent condition and ready to go straight into the buyers home or premises.

All of Martlesham Antiques furniture is hand polished by their own French polishers and restorers to a very high standard. We are also a member of LAPADA, the association of art and antiques.

Description
A fabulous quality and impressive large Japanese hardwood Shodona from the Meiji period, the lovely carved pediment incorporating a large winged bird and having mythical creatures either side, the cabinet consisting of various shelves, panels, cupboards and drawers painted and inlaid with mother of pearl, ivory and bone, the carved and pierced fretwork is very good quality, lovely engraved handles on the doors, each panel depicting a wildlife scene and the detail is superb.  The cabinet sitting on a separate stand which has carved floral fretwork and scroll feet.  This piece is in excellent condition and the detail is truly superb, a fine work of art.  Circa 1880.

Please note: Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018

REF: 734ED5SM

54 1/2" x 14 3/4" x 88" high

138cms x 38cms x 224cms high

Height
224cm (88.19")
Width
138cm (54.33")
Depth
38cm (14.96")
Date of Manufacture

Martlesham Antiques has dated this Japanese Meiji Shodona Cabinet to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1220245
Dealers Internal Ref
3826
Martlesham Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2008
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martlesham Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Martlesham Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting.
1 / 15
Archive I A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting.

19th Century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet

Archive II A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting. View XV
Enlarged Archival View

Martlesham Antiques
Telephone 01394 386732
Location
The Thatched Roadhouse
Main Rd
Martlesham
Suffolk
IP12 4RJ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/martlesham
Verified Since Jan 2008
Items For Sale 304
Items Sold 2,206
Martlesham Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: The Thatched Roadhouse, Main Rd, Martlesham, Suffolk, IP12 4RJ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/martlesham
Verified
Jan 2008
For Sale
304
Sold
2,206
A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting.
19th Century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet
Ref: SA1220245
A 19th-century Japanese Meiji period shodona display cabinet with asymmetrical lacquered doors, bird and floral shibayama inlays, and carved cresting.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

A shodona is a traditional Japanese cabinet characterised by asymmetrical open shelves, small cupboards, and sliding doors, originally developed for displaying precious objects and storing books or writing materials. During the Meiji period (18681912), cabinetmakers adapted these designs for export, decorating them with elaborate lacquerwork, relief carving, and intricate inlays.

Craftsmen typically utilised dense hardwoods such as rosewood or zelkova, coated with multiple layers of natural urushi lacquer. Decorative embellishments often featured shibayama inlay incorporating mother-of-pearl, bone, horn, and gold metallic powders applied using traditional maki-e techniques.

Authentic Meiji pieces display exceptional hand craftsmanship with intricate hand-carved fretwork, precise joinery without modern steel screws, and multi-layered lacquer surfaces. The presence of complex shibayama inlays representing natural motifs, such as pheasants, cranes, and cherry blossoms, is also indicative of export furniture from this era.

A Meiji shodona works as a focal architectural statement in neutral or contemporary rooms, adding texture and historical contrast. Placing subtle ceramic vessels or curated books within its asymmetrical compartments highlights the structural lattice while keeping the surrounding space uncluttered.

Keep lacquered furniture away from direct sunlight, central heating vents, and drastic humidity changes to prevent cracking of the timber and lacquer finish. Dust gently with a dry microfibre cloth, avoiding commercial sprays, alcohol, or water, which can degrade sensitive urushi surfaces and loosen delicate shell inlays.
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