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Writing Box with Gourd

School of Shibata Zeshin Japanese
1886
Not on view
One of the first Japanese lacquer artists to become popular in the West, Shibata Zeshin was noted for his technical skills, imaginative compositions, invention of painted lacquer techniques, and experimentation with new colors and inlays of different materials. The brownish-red gourd that dominates the composition of this lacquer writing box is one of the motifs he used most often. The gourd, which is associated with spring, is shown here surrounded by seasonal flowers and grasses such as the dandelion.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明治時代　柴田是真派　蒲公英酒瓢蒔絵 硯箱
  • Title: Writing Box with Gourd
  • Artist: School of Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891)
  • Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
  • Date: 1886
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Black lacquer with gold and silver hiramaki-e, colored lacquer application
  • Dimensions: H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); W. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); L. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: 36.100.142a–j
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse), Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Roiro (waxen) lacquer with black hiramakie sprinkled and polished lacquer and takamakie sprinkled and polished lacquer relief; Interior: roiro; Netsuke: lacquer in shape of a worn ink stick; Ojime: black lacquer bead, Japan
Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse)
Shibata Zeshin
19th century
Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, color, takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, Japan
Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet
Shibata Zeshin
19th century
Rising Sun, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan
Rising Sun
Shibata Zeshin
second half of the 19th century
Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Album leaf; lacquer on gold paper, Japan
Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing
Shibata Zeshin
Village among Rocks, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Colored lacquers on paper, Japan
Village among Rocks
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

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