Step back into Japan’s Meiji era with this stunning lacquered cabinet, meticulously restored to honour its timeless artistry. At Artabelle Furniture, we revitalised this historic piece, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern restoration techniques.
This exquisite cabinet, crafted in Japan between 1865 and 1900 during the Meiji Era, reflects the artistry and innovation of a nation transitioning into modernity. The Meiji period marked a pivotal moment in Japanese history, as the country ended centuries of isolation and established flourishing trade links with Europe and America.
These beautifully lacquered cabinets, created by skilled regional craftsmen and artisans, became highly prized by collectors in the West. Their intricate designs and fine craftsmanship capture the cultural exchange and artistic evolution of this transformative era.
This once-neglected cabinet bore the scars of time: missing handles, damaged decorative metalwork, and its once-vibrant lacquer faded and flaking. Despite its heavily worn state, the piece hinted at its former glory, waiting to be lovingly restored to its rightful beauty.
The cabinet showed signs of significant wear, with faded or flaking lacquer, loose joints, missing components, and water damage.
Many of the cedar and cherry wood components had split, separated, or come loose over time, adding to the cabinet’s deteriorated state. These structural issues required careful attention to restore the integrity of the piece, ensuring that its once-sturdy framework was fully repaired.
The lacquer is dry, flaky, and faded, stripping the piece of its once-vibrant finish. Additionally, the door and carcass are loose or broken, further compromising the cabinet’s structural integrity. These issues demand skilled restoration to restore both the beauty and strength of this historic piece.
After carefully removing the metal components, the cabinet’s carcass and exterior are thoroughly sanded to smooth out any imperfections. The surface is then sealed to prepare for the restoration of its original colour. A combination of shellac and black pigment is applied and sprayed to return the piece to its authentic hue. Special care is taken to mask the decorative motifs, preserving their intricate details during the process. Once the new finish is applied, it is meticulously sanded and polished to achieve a flawless surface, before being sealed with a clear lacquer to enhance its glossy sheen and long-lasting protection.
The painted details are carefully revived, repainted, and redefined to restore the cabinet’s intricate artistry. Many areas of the surface required filling and sanding to ensure a smooth, flush finish. A blend of shellac and black pigment is skillfully applied to rebuild and restore the missing lacquer areas, bringing the piece closer to its original beauty.
The missing handles and decorative metal components are carefully recreated using a piercing saw, then forged into the correct shape. To match the original design, the metal is etched in a ferric chloride solution, re-establishing the intricate surface details and restoring the piece’s original elegance.
The colouring, lacquer work, and polishing are meticulously completed before the metal components are carefully re-fitted into place. This final step ensures that the cabinet is restored to its original beauty, with every detail polished to perfection.
