Nanban Coffer with Animals and Landscapes. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 25 in. (63.5 cm); W. 49 3/16 in. (125 cm); D. 21 7/16 in. (54.5 cm). Date: late 16th-early 17th century.The coffer consists of a deep, rectangular storage box covered by a half-cylindrical lid that is hinged at the back. The front has two elaborate gilt-bronze locks with intricate incised designs of angels or putti that clearly follow European models. The black-lacquered wooden body is embellished with gold and silver hiramaki-e ("flat sprinkled picture") and mother-of-pearl inlays. The decoration of the front and the lid consist of rectangular panels, each containing an "animal in a landscape," divided by bands filled with geometric patterns inspired by textile designs. These bands imitate the iron or leather straps that were attached to the European coffers that served as models. The panels on the front of the chest depict a peacock beside a paulownia tree, a tiger amid bamboo, blossoming cherry, and camellia,