Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant

Japan

Not on view

This writing box depicts one of the most famous poets and statesmen in Chinese history, Su Dongpo (also known as Su Shi, 1037–1101). He is often represented riding on the back of a donkey, a poor man’s conveyance and a symbol of the eremitic life of a scholar-poet. His young attendant is holding a gourd presumably filled with wine, which also helps identify the figure as Su Dongpo, who was also famed for his consumption of this beverage. The lush and detailed surface of this box was created by burnishing sprinkled gold and silver powders to achieve a smooth surface, a technique known as togidashimaki-e.

Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan

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Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan

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