Box with Folded Brocade Pattern
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Gold and silver maki-e on gold lacquer
Dimensions
H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); W. 2 7/8 (7.3 cm); D. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Culture & Period
Japan · Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
Accession Number
81.1.192
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Box with Folded Brocade Pattern crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912), exemplifies the pinnacle of traditional lacquerware artistry. just 3/4 inch high, 2 7/8 inches wide, and 4 inches, this petite gold-lacquered box is adorned with gold and silver *maki-e*—a revered technique where fine metal powders are sprinkled onto wet lacquer to create shimmering, raised designs. The intricate patterns mimic the luxurious folds of brocade silk fabric, interspersed with delicate motifs of birds and flowers, evoking nature's harmony and seasonal beauty. In the Meiji era, as ...