From the collection of Queen Marie-Antoinette in the shape of fans, a basket and musical instruments
Wood, lacquer
Paris, Musée National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, on loan at the Musée National des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, inv. MR 380.80, 380.7, 380.78, 380.14, 380.83
On 22 July 1767, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria bequeathed an exceptional collection of fifty boxes in Japanese lacquer to her daughter, Marie-Antoinette. These extremely refined objects reflected the fascination of European courts with the art of Japan, and notably with its lacquer technique, which was unique. The queen had them installed in her Gold Room, the most refined space in her private apartment, in cabinets specially designed to house them.
