This is an antique Japanese Kazaridana or display cabinet 22" x 16" x 8".
Japanese Gilt Hardwood Cabinet. The alternating shelves and compartments with aprons and spandrels carved in openwork with leafy floral decorations, the hinged compartment doors and drawers idecorated with carved mother-of-pearl to depict scenes of birds and flowers within gilt-painted landscapes, each surrounded by gilt-painted stenciled pattern borders. The uppermost open compartment has a series of metal wire hooks (possibly for prayer beads??) The hinged doors have had the original wood hinge replaced with temporary metal pins on the left door. The entire cabinet is fit together rather loosely mostly without nails. The panels slide and the one on the top right back behind the curved shelf has slipped down to show daylight at the top. This may be due to age related shrinkage of the wood possibly? The inside of each hinged door has an old varnish-covered paper label with hand inked Japanese or Chinese characters (need translation). Likely Meiji Period.
The cabinet is from the estate of a Chicago lady to display her snuff bottle collection. She likely aquired during her travels to Japan, China and Western Asia. She was a collector of Fine Art and Antiques. Her travels were during the mid 20th century.
