Base of Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum Containing Inkstone, Water-dropper, Brushes, Ink-stick Holder, and Paper Knife
Unknown Artist
late 1800s-early 1900s
Medium
Lacquer over wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e)
Classification
Lacquer
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Maud Eells Corning
Accession Number
1992.389.a
About this artwork
Both functional and elegant, this is a container for an ink stone, brushes, and ink from a set of writing tools that included a larger box for paper. Against a sleek gold lacquered ground, its artist has used restraint in sprinkled powder decoration (maki-e) to produce the design of cockscomb and harvested rice on the interior of the lid.