Small cabinet (kodansu)

Object Details

• Label

  Chrysanthemums in gold maki-e, the Japanese technique of sprinkling gold or silver powder on freshly applied lacquer, are accentuated by large inlays of iridescent shell. Meandering across the fronts of the drawers inside the cabinet is a floral design in the same materials. The Japanese preference for treating surfaces as a continuous space rather than as separate elements is beautifully demonstrated by this design.

• Provenance

  From at least 1914-to 1943 

  Alexander George Mosle (1862-1945), possibly purchased in Japan [1]  

  1943-1944 

  A. Henry Mosle (1866-1957), held a lien on Alexander George Mosle’s collection through a Deed of Trust – Chattels [2] 

  From 1944 

  The Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Alexander Mosle through A. Henry Mosle [3] 

  Notes:

  [1] See Alexander George Mosle, “Japanese Works of Art: Armour, Weapons, Sword-Fittings, Lacquer, Pictures, Textiles, Colour-Prints, selected from the Moslé Collection” [book] (Leipzig: E. A . Seemann, 1914), vol. 1, cat. 1679, p. 21; vol. 2, pl. CV. See also Alexander George Mosle, “The Mosle Collection: Descriptive Catalogue to be used in Connection with the Illustrations of ‘Japanese works of art’ selected from the Moslé Collection – Portfolio II” [book] (Leipzig: Poeschel & Trepte, 1933), vol. II, cat. 1679, p. 33. Alexander Mosle was a businessman who lived in Japan from 1884-1907, during which time he began collecting Japanese works of art.

  [2] See June 17, 1943 Deed of Trust – Chattels, between Alexander G. Mosle and Jesse Knight and Eugene W. Goodwillie, trustees on behalf of A. Henry Mosle. Alexander was indebted to his cousin Henry, and his entire collection of Japanese Art was secured as chattel for the debt under the terms of the Deed. See original Deed of Trust – Chattels in object file. 

  [3] The Freer Gallery of Art paid A. Henry Mosle and Alexander G. Mosle separate payments on May 29, 1944, approved on May 27, 1944. See also April 28, 1944 letter from A.G. Wenley to Alexander Mosle wherein Wenley indicates which items the Freer wishes to purchase from Mosle’s inventory list. See also May 26, 1944 letter from A. Henry Mosle to Alan C. Maxwell, charging Maxwell to act as agent for Henry, in the matter of the release of the Deed of Trust – Chattels at the sale of the selected objects from Alexander’s collection to the Freer. See object file for copy of invoice, letters, and original Release of Deed of Trust - Chattels. 

  Research updated January 12, 2023

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Moonlight and Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan (November 11, 2008 to November 11, 2009)

  Japanese Art (May 9, 1993 to June 27, 1994)

  Autumn Colors (October 19 to December 20, 1984)

  Japanese and Chinese Lacquer (September 22, 1982 to June 30, 1983)

  Japanese Lacquer (18 May 1980 to 15 June 1980)

  Japanese Lacquer (April 16, 1979 to October 8, 1980)

  Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons in Japanese Art (September 14, 1977 to April 8, 1978)

  Chinese and Japanese Art--Lacquer and Paintings (August 18, 1967 to October 14, 1969)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 3 and 4 (February 25, 1956 to January 1, 1963)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art, 1955 (October 25, 1955 to November 22, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art, 1951 (January 23, 1951 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art (October 3, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art, 1946 (May 3, 1946 to October 6, 1947)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Alexander G. Mosle (1863-1945)

  A. Henry Mosle

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Furniture and Furnishing

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1600s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Mosle, A. Henry, Mosle, Alexander G.

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Repoussé, Art, Momoyama period (1573 - 1615), Punching, Maki-e, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Lacquer, Chasing

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Furniture, Furnishings