142 - JAPAN—20th century

JAPAN—20th century Lacquered lectern, decorated with a reed motif across its entire surface. On the side facing the listener or spectator, the base depicts a scene in which two fishermen are pulling on a rope to moor their boat; their wide, conical hats are embellished with mother-of-pearl inlays (*raden* 螺鈿). On the reverse side of this panel, facing the reader or speaker, is an emblem (*mon* 紋) of the *gokani hanabishi* 五瓜に花菱 type (a diamond-shaped flower surrounded by a five-lobed shape). The decoration is executed using the techniques of *hiramaki-e* 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer) and *takamaki-e* 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer), rendered in shades of gold, silver, and brown on a glossy black lacquer background (*rôiro'urushi* 蝋色漆). The set consists of three removable elements: a large slanted writing desk, a vertical support, and a square base incorporating a large drawer—spanning the entire width—intended for storing writing instruments or scrolls; this drawer is fitted with a patinated brass handle shaped like a comb (*kushi*). Dimensions: height 48.5 cm, width 50 cm, depth 35 cm.