Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia (base)
Unknown Artist
c. 1573–99
Medium
Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold and silver powder (maki-e) and gold and silver foil application
Dimensions
4 × 20.5 × 23.5 cm
Classification
Lacquer
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession Number
2016.34.b
About this artwork
The only place the mythical phoenix will perch is in the paulownia tree. Along with the dragon, the bird is a symbol of imperial power in East Asia. This box––a container for an inkstone, brushes, and ink––is both functional and lavish, its dramatic effects achieved with a pear-skin ground decoration (nashiji) and sprinkled powder decoration in high relief (takamaki-e).