An exquisite antique Japanese Meiji period Shibayama Shodana cabinet, circa 1880. One of the finest antique Shibayama cabinets one will see, the cabinet is finely inlaid and overlaid with gold lacquer decoration of; Iroe Hiramakie, Takamakie & aogai lacquer. The top of the cabinet having two gilded removable crowns with carved phoenixes, the cabinet has twelve cupboard doors and to the base three drawer panels sumptuously decorated with doves, quail, pheasants and other birds in flight. Some are set in garden scenes, one scene shows a bird with an Ikebana (the Japanese art of arranging leaves & flowers in vessels), others show birds resting in blossoming trees. To the center of the cabinet is a bridge with gilded finials connecting one side of the cabinet with another, the main body of the cabinet is on a carved and reticulated organically carved base with leaves and raised on curved & scrolled feet. This cabinet is of the very highest quality a superlative example of Shibayama work, condition is excellent throughout, all the inlay and overlay is present, no restoration or damage noted and is ready to grace your space..