Japanese Peepshow Box (Karakuri), c. 1890

Ikeda, Japan. Following contact with Dutch merchants and their imported "Dutch machine" (the peepshow box), this form of viewing entertainment gained popularity in Japan during the late Edo period (1603–1867). The piece consists of a wooden box finished in black lacquer with decorative motifs, measuring 21.2 x 24.6 x 39 cm. Its side panels feature reverse-glass paintings of chrysanthemums; the glass on one side bears a crack. Designed for two viewers seated opposite one another, the device features fixed eyepieces; one viewer looks at a European image, while the other views a Japanese image. A striking mechanism sounds a chime each time the mechanism is rotated to display a new image. The device accommodates 48 pairs of photographs (up to a format of 6 x 11 cm), featuring subjects from Japan, Europe, and World's Fairs; the images themselves are heavily faded. The top section consists of a removable frame (the base of which has been restored) fitted with a transparent glass pane (a similar viewer in the Akagi Kiyoshi Collection at the Edo-Tokyo Museum features a pane of frosted glass). Particularly striking is the pairing of these dual images, which invites contemplation on questions of identity and destiny: "Where are we headed? Who are we?" – as illustrated by the following examples: The Execution of Paris Communards (1871) paired with a serene, contemplative Buddha statue; a World's Fair scene paired with a temple shrine; Venice paired with a mangrove jungle; and the Crystal Palace in London paired with a scene depicting the natural beauty of Japan. – An extraordinarily rare device, offering a compelling visual narrative of Asia's transition into the modern era.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)