Momoyama (1573-1615) or Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century, and later re-lacquering The low table with hinged legs, lacquered in gold hiramaki-e and kinji and embellished with inlaid shell, the upper surface decorated with four panels of long-tailed birds in flight among blossoming chrysanthemums, Chinese bellflowers, paulownia, bush clover, mandarin oranges, and maples, each panel separated by chevron reserves containing cherry florets, and chrysanthemum and squares of shell arranged in a checkerboard pattern, all bordered by a band of chevrons and shippo-tsunagi (linked cash), continuing on the edges, the legs decorated with birds in scrolling vines and flowering camellias, the apron with lotus blossoms and clouds, the gilt-copper fittings carved with foliate scroll on a nanako ground 14 5/8 x 23 5/8 x 12 1/8in (31.1 x 60 x 30.8cm)