Box

Art Historical Context

This delicate lacquer box from late 18th-century Japan exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the Edo period, a time of cultural flourishing and refined artistry. Measuring just 1.5 inches high and inches in diameter, its petite size suggests it was designed for personal use—perhaps to hold cosmetics, incense, or small treasures—fitting neatly into a sleeve or pocket. Adorned with motifs of flowers and trees, indicated by its decorative tags, the box captures the Japanese reverence for nature's fleeting beauty, evoking seasonal harmony and poetic elegance. Japanese lacquerware, known as ...