Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers

Japan

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 225

This light, carefully crafted saddle, dated 1491 on its reverse, might have seen use during the turbulent samurai warfare of the Muromachi period. Treasured by samurai families, saddles such as this one were both carefully preserved and also relacquered and redecorated in the Edo period to reflect contemporary tastes. The flower decoration on the pommel is inspired by Chinese brocaded silks.

Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan

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Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan
Saddle (Kura) with Stylized Flowers, Saddle: Gold maki-e with black lacquer decoration:Pommel: lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e on black ground; seat: nashiji (“pear-skin” ground), Japan

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