Case (Inrō) with Design of Chinese Woman at Court Feeding a Parrot
Unknown Artist
late 18th century
Medium
Roiro (waxen) lacquer decorated with incised gold and metal, ceramic, ivory, and coral inlay
Dimensions
H. 2 13/16 in. (7.2 cm); W. 2 1/16 in. (5.3 cm); D. 7/8 in. (2.3 cm)
Classification
Inrō
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.696
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Inrō*, or lacquered case, from late 18th-century Japan during the Edo period (1615–1868), depicts a graceful Chinese woman at court feeding a vibrant parrot. Measuring just under 3 inches tall, this pocket-sized accessory was designed for men to carry medicines, seals, or tobacco, suspended from the waist by a cord and secured with an ivory *netsuke* and *ojime* bead (though not included here). Its diminutive scale belies the opulent craftsmanship, showcasing the era's mastery of luxury goods amid Japan's urban prosperity. Crafted in *roiro* (waxen black) lacquer—a highly poli...