Gourd-shaped Incense Box

18th century

Not on view

The auspicious shape of a double gourd is well matched by the naturalistic decoration of a flowering gourd vine that curves over the top and sides. The design was first chiseled into the surface in fine cross-hatching. Then sheets of gold and silver in varying compositions were hammered into the etched area to create a flush surface reminiscent of gold-sprinkled lacquer.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Gourd-shaped Incense Box
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Iron with gold and silver
Dimensions: W. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); L. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm); D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger, 1968
Object Number: 68.26.1a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Sutra Box (Kyōbako) with Lotus Pond, Lacquered wood with gold togidashimaki-e, hiramaki-e, and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”), Japan — Sutra Box (Kyōbako) with Lotus Pond
Japan
early 17th century

Platter (Ōzara) with Pine Tree, Stoneware with underglaze iron oxide decoration (Hizen ware, Karatsu type), Japan — Platter (Ōzara) with Pine Tree
Japan
early 17th century

Covered Vessel (Futamono) with Plum Tree, Stoneware with iron and copper green overglaze decoration (Mino ware, Oribe type), Japan — Covered Vessel (Futamono) with Plum Tree
Japan
early 17th century

Shelf for Cosmetic Boxes (Kurodana) with Wild Grapevine and Family Crest, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e, Japan — Shelf for Cosmetic Boxes (Kurodana) with Wild Grapevine and Family Crest
Japan
first half 17th century

Ewer (Suichū) with Cherry Blossoms and Picnic Curtain
, Stoneware with iron underglaze and copper-green glaze (Mino ware, Narumi Oribe type), Japan — Ewer (Suichū) with Cherry Blossoms and Picnic Curtain
Japan
early 17th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.