Featured Japanese lacquered panel- what do I have here?

It’s just been shipped but I can’t wait to share this find! A square panel, size roughly 6cm x 6cm, slightly domed. Only costs me £10 so a modest price for a damaged specimen.

I believe this definitely got some age and probably the oldest one in my Japanese collection. Just wondering how old it can go? Also the circled butterfly seems to be a family crest, but this is not a high grade item overall so that can be neglected. Due to it being slightly domed, I think it might be the top panel of the lid from a box like this:


And the most important question is… how should I repurpose it? Put it in a frame? Fix it onto the lid of another trinket box? Please give me some suggestions!

 

It is lovely, and I agree, the butterfly is likely a mon.

Ditto.

Yes, you could frame it, but keep the frame minimalist, less is more.
It will also be pretty as a little piece of art flat on a table, just like you would have a beautiful porcelain dish.

 

Hmmm, I just saw some videos of box lacquering and I happened to have some required materials, so maybe remaking into a box would be more exciting. I might buy a plain wood box first

 

It definitely could be framed, but I might try making it a box too.

 

It is lovely, an' probably old enough (Meiji or so).

By all means, follow your heart...but mho is to leave it as is or frame it minimally, as AJ suggested.

Repurposing, regardless of the skill an' materials used, seems to cheapen the panel to utility, reducing its impact on those likely to be attracted to its as-found original beauty, condition be damned.

 

it’s challenging, thus more tempting, right?

 

That, and where there is paint and glue and Fix-Me, there go I.

 

Hmmm, a valid point… what about repurposing it as a box but ensuring it can be taken off from the lid anytime without damaging its base? Sticking it onto a box lid with blue tack might just work well

 

But why? Just because you can?
Makes no sense to me, but...

 

Blue tack is one of my favorite trick, non permanent fixing but strong enough
Go with your heart for enjoying this charming piece!

 

That plan sounds a bit too casual but safety first!

 

I had not known about Blu-Tack until today!
EDIT: Blu for But...auto spell!

 

Is there a specific brand of "blue tack" y'all are talking about? Speaking from my ancedotal experience the type I've used leaves an oily residue and eventually breaks down many years later into blue goo like chewing gum. I don't know that they all do that, of course. Just curious. Clear Museum Putty is the option I now use.

 

What brand gave you less-than-satisfactory performance, Mirana? That'll be one I'll avoid...Thanks!

 

Well it begins its life as a box so I don’t see anything wrong with making it a box again.

 

No Blame, of course...it belongs to you.

 

I use it too. Great stuff and no mess.

 

I have no clue what the brand was.... that's why I was asking. It got put in a little reusable box after opened, because those packages aren't great. It was blue tack purchased long enough ago that it had time to disintegrate. The oily bit took little time to appear by comparison...a year? Anyway, it traveled with me and got used on things keeping plastic bits (that I knew wouldn't care about the oil residue) in place on shelves. It proceeded to make oil spots on the shelves instead and become gross goo.

 

just give it a bit clean and golden powder filling, looks much better now! Will update once the box is done

 

Excellent job. How did you get the gold to blend in like that?