Cabinet with Design of Butterflies

18th century

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.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Cabinet with Design of Butterflies
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan (Ryūkyū Islands)
Medium: Red lacquer with painted decoration, inlaid with mother-of-pearl
Dimensions: H. 20 1/8 in. (51.1 cm); W. 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm); D. 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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