Covered Box with Design of Pine, Bamboo, and Cherry Blossom
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Sprinkled gold on lacquer (maki-e)
Dimensions
H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); W. 6 13/16 in. (17.3 cm); D. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.7.11
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate covered box from Japan's Edo period (16151868), crafted in the 19th, showcases the refined artistry of lacquerware through its maki-e technique. Sprled gold powder is applied over layers of lacquer to create shimmering designs of pine, bamboo and cherry blossoms—nature's enduring symbols rendered in exquisite detail. Measuring just 2⅜ inches high, 6⅞ inches wide, and 1¾ inches deep, likely served as a luxurious container for cosmetics, medicines, or small treasures, reflecting the era's blend of functionality and opulence. Maki-e, meaning "sprinkled picture," was a hallmark of J...