Inrō with Portuguese Figures

late 18th–early 19th century

Not on view

The mutual fascination with which the Japanese and Europeans regarded each other after their initial contacts in the late sixteenth century was expressed in part by Japanese art objects that incorporated images of Westerners as part of the ornamentation. This inro, which was worn suspended from the waist and used to hold medicines and other small items, is decorated with the images of three Portuguese men, dressed in their distinctive pantaloons and jackets with large, ruffled collars.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

南蛮人蒔絵印籠
Title: Inrō with Portuguese Figures
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: late 18th–early 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Four cases; lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e and cut-out gold foil application on black groundNetsuke: dog; ivoryOjime: antler bead
Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); W. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); D. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Classification: Inrō
Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
Object Number: 1975.268.178
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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From the same time and place

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Japanese
16th century

Inrō with Autumn Ivy

, Koma Kyūhaku VI Japanese, Four cases; lacquered wood with gold, silver, and color (iroko) togidashimaki-e on black lacquer ground<br/>Netsuke: ivory; folded letter decorated with paulownia and Genji incense symbols <br/>Ojime: oblong bead; gilt bronze with openwork design of autumn flowers, Japan — Inrō with Autumn Ivy
Attributed to Koma Kyūhaku VI
early 19th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Inrō with Two Standing Horses; Seal and Inscription (reverse), Kano Naonobu Japanese, Four cases; lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e, gold foil application, and mother-of-pearl inlay on black ground<br/>Netsuke: horse; ivory <br/>Ojime: iron bead with cricket and flower in gold overlay, Japan — Inrō with Two Standing Horses; Seal and Inscription (reverse)
After Kano Naonobu
mid- 18th century

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