Incense Box (Kōbako) in the Shape of Three Overlapping Jars

mid-18th century

Not on view

This exquisite box was originally made in Japan in the mid-eighteenth century as an incense container. The lacquer surface is embellished with refined maki-e details, including young pine trees on the exterior of the lid and a continuous seashore on the sides with auspicious motifs. The incense box was exported to Europe either by the Dutch or through the China trade, a route similar to that taken by the Japanese lacquer boxes owned by Queen Marie Antoinette (1755–1793). In Paris, the small box was turned into a jewel-like object by Barthélémy Paviet, who applied gilded mounts over the rims and lined the inside with a gold-like metal sheet.

Artwork Details

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Exhibition History

壺蒔絵香箱
Title: Incense Box (Kōbako) in the Shape of Three Overlapping Jars
Artist: Barthélémy Paviet (French, master 1781–after 1793)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: mid-18th century
Culture: Japan and France
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki‑e, hiramaki‑e, and togidashimaki‑e on gold ground, with gilded mount
Dimensions: H. 3 3/16 in. (9.7 cm); W. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); D. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
Object Number: 2019.281.2
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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