明治時代 柴田是真派 蒲公英酒瓢蒔絵 硯箱|Writing Box with Gourd
1886
Medium
Black lacquer with gold and silver hiramaki-e, colored lacquer application
Dimensions
H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); W. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); L. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Culture & Period
Japan · Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.100.142a–j
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of Meiji-era Japan (1868–1912) with this exquisite writing boxsuzuribako) by Shibata Zesh, a master lacquer artist renowned for elevating urushi lacquer to painterly heights. Created in 1886, this compact treasure—measuring just 1 ½ inches high, 7 ⅝ inches wide, and8 ⅞ inches long—was designed to hold an inkstone, brushes, and ink for scholars and calligraphers. Zeshin, often called the "Rembrandt of lacquer," blended Edo-period traditions with Meiji innovation, producing works that captivated Western collectors like Howard Mansfield, whose collection brought this p...
About the Artist
Shibata Zeshin · 1807–1891
Japanese, 1807–1891