A.Bottom; b. Lid; c. Ink holder tray; d. Silver butterfly; e.,f, Trays.

Writing box with moon and wave design, 18th century

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Suzuribako, beautifully ornamented lacquer boxes with compartments for an ink stone, ink stick, water dropper, and brushes, became popular during the Muromachi period (1392-1573). By the Edo period, lacquer artists adroitly combined a variety of materials to produce sumptuous objects of great visual appeal. For this box, the waves and sea spray were rendered in silver, which has oxidized to a pewter-gray color. The moon, too, is a silver disk, and would have flashed brilliantly against the dark background sprinkled lightly with gold flakes.

Details
Title
Writing box with moon and wave design
Role
Artist
Accession Number
75.90.1a-f
Curator Approved

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A.Bottom; b. Lid; c. Ink holder tray; d. Silver butterfly; e.,f, Trays.