This cabinet is amongst a small group of fine 17th century pieces made in the earliest period of “japanned” furniture. Its highly unusual compositions, framed in striking shapes, are quite different from the decoration that was more widely produced by the London workshops of Belchier and Grendey in the first half of 18th century.

In 1688 a source book by John Stalker and George Parker A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing was published to assist professional cabinet makers by providing recipes for Japanning as well as designs for figures, gardens and plants. The treatise is often (correctly) quoted as the source for the chinoiserie designs that became so popular thereafter. On this cabinet, the influence of Stalker and Parker is extremely clear, but the japanner interpreted his source with more freshness and freedom than the often more formulaic designs that were to follow. The wild large sprays of flowers in vases, intricate interconnecting buildings, and the ambassadorial receptions all relate closely to designs in Stalker and Parker notably plates (2, 14 and 23). Also worthy of note are the fine elaborate gilt brass hinges and lock plates which frame the japanner’s exuberant and joyful composition.