Document Box (Ryōshibako) with Deer and Butterflies

17th century

Not on view

This document box is embellished with seasonal motifs: the butterflies represent spring, and the deer is a symbol of autumn. The lid is decorated with an autumn landscape featuring large ferns. Deer were favored as design elements by Rinpa lacquer artists, but they had been represented in Japanese lacquer art since the medieval period. Autumn landscapes with deer were popular painting subjects in the Edo period.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

鹿蝶々蒔絵料紙箱
Title: Document Box (Ryōshibako) with Deer and Butterflies
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 17th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold takamaki‑e, hiramaki‑e, togidashimaki‑e, mother‑of‑pearl inlay, and silver foil application
Dimensions: L. 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm); W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); H. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.52a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Sutra Box (Kyōbako) with Lotus Pond, Lacquered wood with gold togidashimaki-e, hiramaki-e, and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”), Japan — Sutra Box (Kyōbako) with Lotus Pond
Japan
early 17th century

Shelf for Cosmetic Boxes (Kurodana) with Wild Grapevine and Family Crest, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e, Japan — Shelf for Cosmetic Boxes (Kurodana) with Wild Grapevine and Family Crest
Japan
first half 17th century

Stand with Autumn Grasses and Flowers, Lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”), Japan — Stand with Autumn Grasses and Flowers
Japan
first half of the 17th century

Sake Ewer (Hisage) with Chrysanthemums and Paulownia Crests in Alternating Fields, Lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground, Japan — Sake Ewer (Hisage) with Chrysanthemums and Paulownia Crests in Alternating Fields
Japan
early 17th century

Jewel casket, Ivory with silver gilt mounts, gilded metal lining, finial with garnet in gold setting, Sri Lanka, Kandy — Jewel casket
Sri Lanka, Kandy
mid-17th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.