Box

Japan

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 199

Probably designed to hold tea ceremony utensils, this rectangular box (chabako) is densely decorated with a rich pattern of ferns and butterflies. The butterflies are executed in the gold and silver technique known as hiramaki-e (“flat sprinkled picture”) as well as in fine mother-of-pearl inlay. They appear in different sizes, shapes, and wing patterns, while the ferns take the form of an arabesque foliage pattern. Colorful butterflies often appear in Moore’s designs.

Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan

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Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan
Box, Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground; leather strap with metal fittings, Japan

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