black lacquer box made of three separate boxes and cover; striped designs of inlay with rectangles of mother of pearl, geometric and floral patterns in gold pigment

Three-tiered box with stripes and Nanban patterns, early 17th century

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Stacked trays were commonly used to store delicacies for celebrations or outings like cherry-blossom viewing. This example has three tiers of trays decorated with an allover pattern of stripes that displays an aura of modernity. Thanks to European traders who brought cloth with similar designs from Southeast Asia to Japan, stripes and checks became popular again in the late 16th and early 17th century after already being popular during the 11th century.

Some of the same Nanban (lit. Souther barbarian) motifs are visible here as in the lacquer cabinet, however, they are used in a much more restrained fashion and therefore produce a completely different effect.

Details
Title
Three-tiered box with stripes and Nanban patterns
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.383a-d
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 744
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our 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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black lacquer box made of three separate boxes and cover; striped designs of inlay with rectangles of mother of pearl, geometric and floral patterns in gold pigment