Box for Books with Waterfall

16th century

Not on view

Originally this extravagantly decorated box held books, which could be pushed up through a hole at the base. It was later converted into a box for writing implements. The decoration of a pine, cypress, plum, and camellia set in a mountainous landscape with a waterfall and temples fills the entire surface of the box, from the top to the beveled sides, and remains uninterrupted whether the box is open or closed. The decoration may refer to classical poetry, though the scene cannot be definitively identified.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

室町時代楼閣山水蒔絵書箱
Title: Box for Books with Waterfall
Period: Muromachi period (1392–1573)
Date: 16th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold and silver foil application and silver inlay on black lacquer ground
Dimensions: L.10 1/4 in. (26 cm); W. 71/4 in. (18.4 cm); H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.20a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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