Cabinet with Design of Butterflies
Not on view
Butterflies and flowers are often found in the visual arts of China and the Ryūkyū Islands in the eighteenth century. The butterflies decorating this cabinet were painted in black and gold lacquer and inlaid with pearl shell. The overall shape of the cabinet and the four small feet show parallels to Japanese art. A large opening in the shape of a swastika in the cabinet's back wall suggests that it was once used to house Buddhist sutras or religious paraphernalia.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.