Japanese lacquer (gold hiramaki-e on black ground) over copper. Edo Period, 1780- 1800. Image of Maximilian II(1527-76), Holy Roman Emperor(1564-1576) with legend MAXIMILIANVS II ROM. IMP. Reverse with abbreviated description from original illustration.

Oval export lacquer portrait plaques were commissioned by the Dutch East India Company(VOC) as exotic gifts for Western clients. Most images were based on well-known engravings(note imitation crosshatching) of historical figures from various several published volumes of the period. This particular image comes from the copperplate engraving in Abraham Bogaert’s De Roomsche Monarchy, Utrecht, 1697.

15 x 10 cm

Inquire >