Mirror, and Mirror Box (Kagami-bako) with Feather Crest and Peony Scrolls

Box: Edo period (1615–1868), 18th century; Mirror: Kamakura period (1185–1392)

Not on view

Originally, the lid of this mirror box was most likely a cover for a three-legged, portable food container (hokai) used by a daimyo (feudal lord) during a procession. The finely executed lid with gold maki-e (“sprinkled picture”) decoration is embellished with a family crest (a whorl of eight hawk feathers) surrounded by an elegant peony scroll pattern. The crest belonged to a branch of the Inoue family, lords of Mikawa Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture) and close allies of the Tokugawa shoguns. The lid was later made into a box to hold a large Kamakuraperiod mirror.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

黒餅に八鷹羽家紋牡丹蒔絵鏡箱
Title: Mirror, and Mirror Box (Kagami-bako) with Feather Crest and Peony Scrolls
Period: Box: Edo period (1615–1868), 18th century; Mirror: Kamakura period (1185–1392)
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e on black lacquer ground; bronze mirror
Dimensions: Diam. 14 7/8 in. (37.8 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.50a–c
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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