cabinet, Iwamura Sadao (1912–1944)

With rounded, streamlined corners and strong geometric patterning, this cabinet embodies the international style later known as Art Deco. This movement in decorative or applied arts first took shape in Paris during the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925. During the run of this exhibition Prince Asaka of Japan and his wife princess Nobuko lived in Paris and became devoted supporters of Art Deco design concepts. After returning to Tokyo, they immediately began construction on a modern residence that featured the work of designers who combined hallmarks of Art Deco with Japanese approaches to craft. Today, this palace is preserved as the Teien Art Museum.

This cabinet, while not directly produced for the Teien Palace, exemplifies the approach used to create many of the objects that adorn the residence. Iwamura Sadao combines Japanese lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay and shrinks the dimensions to accommodate the size and scale of domestic living in modern Japan.