Ritual Wash Basin
16th century
Medium
Black lacquer and zelkova wood (keyaki)
Dimensions
18.4 × 41 cm (7 1/4 × 16 1/8 in.)
Classification
lacquer
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
45749
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Large lacquered footed basins such as this were used in aristocratic households or temples to hold water for personal cleansing during a monthly Buddhist ceremony. Here the interior and exterior walls of the vessel are covered with black lacquer, except for a decorative band of unpainted zelkova wood that encircles the outer body. This type of wood was prized for its distinctive flame-patterned grain.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...