Tiered Box (Jūbako) with Design of Boats and Plovers
second half of the 19th century
Medium
Gold maki-e on black and brown lacquer, with mother-of-pearl inlay and pewter
Dimensions
L. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm); W. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); H. 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Culture & Period
Japan · Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Accession Number
2015.500.2.53a–g
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tiered box, known as a *jūbako*, was crafted by Shibata Zin, one of Japan's foremost lacquer artists of the late 19th century. Dating to the Meiji period (186–1912), a time when Japan rapidly modernized while preserving its artistic traditions, this functional yet opulent object served as stacked food containers for special occasions like New Year's feasts or picnics. Zeshin, renowned for elevating lacquerware to fine art, masterfully depicted boats gliding on waves alongside plovers—birds symbolizing marital fidelity and seasonal change in Japanese culture—evoking serene coasta...
About the Artist
Shibata Zeshin · 1807–1891
Japanese, 1807–1891