Portable chest with wisteria, 17th-18th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Black lacquer with gold maki-e and mother-of-pearl and lead inlay; gilded copper fittingsexpand_more
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundationexpand_more 2015.79.393a-f
Not on Viewexpand_more
On this portable storage chest, a wisteria vine emerges on the front panel (near the lock) and then meanders around the remaining sides and top. Joining the wisteria are three more springtime motifs—cherry blossoms on the gilt-copper lock and drawer pulls, dandelions on the front door, and a trio of dragonflies on the inside of the door. The maker used three distinct lacquer techniques to create these decorations. Gold motifs, such as the vine, stems, and some of the leaves of the wisteria, were made with gold powder applied to the surface, a uniquely Japanese technique called maki-e(“sprinkled pictures”). The darker leaves are inlaid lead. The radiant blossoms and leaves are inlaid mother-of-pearl, a technique called raden that was developed in China and introduced to Japan in the 700s.
Details
- Title
- Portable chest with wisteria
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.79.393a-f
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 758
- 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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