Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests
The midarebako—a shallow traylike box used to temporarily hold folded clothing and small accessories—developed from a Heian-period (794–1185) predecessor. It was typically used when dressing or changing, for keeping things nearby at night, or while women arranged their hair. The shape indicates that larger boxes’ lids might originally have been used for the same purpose. This Kōdaiji-style version is embellished with maki-e paulownia crests associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and nine-orb (kuyō) crests used predominately by the Hosokawa family.
Artwork Details
- 桐九曜紋蒔絵乱箱
- Title: Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests
- Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
- Date: late 16th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground
- Dimensions: L. 20 7/8 in. (53 cm); W. 21 7/8 in. (55.6 cm); H. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
- Classification: Lacquer
- Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.500.2.28
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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first half of the 15th century
15th century
late 16th century
16th century
late 15th century
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