Message Case with Landscape

mid-18th century

Not on view

This tube-like message case, intended to hold precious documents, could be attached to a chain and carried as a pendant. A very unusual work, it was created in France using a Japanese lacquer object and French gilded mounts bearing the mark of discharge (décharge) for the city of Paris from about 1768 to 1774. Its maki-e decoration depicts a landscape with a house and rocky shore. As Japanese lacquers were rare and precious in Europe due to limited Western contact with the isolated island country, such objects were often repurposed and refurbished with the addition of expensive gold or gilded mounts, which were thought to enhance their beauty and significantly increased their value.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

楼閣山水蒔絵筒形手紙入
Title: Message Case with Landscape
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: mid-18th century
Culture: Japan and France
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki‑e and togidashimaki‑e, with gilded mounts
Dimensions: L. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
Object Number: 2019.281.3a–c
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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