Small Box with Cover, late 15th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Carved red lacquer (tihong)expand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2001.68.3a,b
On View in Gallery 210expand_more
This delicate round box once held aromatic incense. It is carved all over with flowering plum branches, set against an incised geometric background meant to suggest sky. By the beginning of the 1500s, repeating geometric patterns had found their way into carved lacquer featuring floral patterns. Certain families of geometric patterns were used to represent sky, water, and land. While land patterns were taken from geometric textile patterns, the open sky or air was often depicted with fine parallel horizontal striations like those seen here.
Details
- Title
- Small Box with Cover
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.68.3a,b
- Curator Approved
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