Japanese chest

This chest is an example of the combination of Japanese techniques and materials with Western-style furniture. Namban lacquer work is characterised by gold maki-e lacquer on a black lacquer ground, inlaid with of mother-of-pearl shell with gilt-metal fittings. The decoration displays animals and flowers. Beautiful Namban artworks were imported into Spain and Europe up to 1639. Travel chests, portable altars, jewellery boxes, lecterns and small chests were made and used as reliquaries or Eucharistic monstrances.