Bonsai or flower basin made of forty scabbard pieces, late 19th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Wood, lacquer, copper and other metals, abalone, lizard skin, shark skinexpand_more
Gift of Gordon Brodfuehrerexpand_more 2015.37.3
Not on Viewexpand_more
Forty sections of several antique sword scabbards (saya) were set about the circumference of this basin (suiban) made for flower arrangements or bonsai display. A removable copper basin was inserted in a wood base with surrounding belts of tiger-striped, ebony-like hardwood. Between these belts are alternating sections of 19 scabbards made of different material and the handles on each end are the actual knobs (kurigata) to attach a braided cord (sageo) to the scabbard. On some, utility knife (kozuka) openings are clearly visible.
Starting from one of the handles, the different scabbard pieces are: plain black lacquer (kuro rōiro-nuri), glossy-brown "insect-eaten" lacquer (cha-urumi mushikui-nuri), glossy-brown stone surface lacquer (cha-urumi ishimeji-nuri), black burnished shark skin lacquer (kuro samegawa togidashi), unknown type using crushed abalone shell, lacquer in thin parallel lines (ichibu kizami urushi-nuri), brown burnished shark skin lacquer (samegawa togidashi), lacquer with crushed abalone shell and flower pattern (hanamon aogai miji-nuri), rare shark skin on the back (kairagi same), wrapped brocade (nishiki tsutsumi), black "insect-eaten" lacquer with auspicious clouds (zuiunmon kuro urushi mushikui-nuri), sandalwood imitating lacquer (byakudan-nuri), imported rare lizard skin, lacquer with crushed abalone shell (aogi miin-nuri), strip motif lacquer (shuroke fuemaki-nuri), pronounced "insect-eaten) lacquer (mushikui-nuri), and red lacquer with willow pattern (shu-urushi yanagimon nuri).
Details
- Title
- Bonsai or flower basin made of forty scabbard pieces
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.37.3
- Provenance
- (Robert Mangold, The Kura)
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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