桐蒔絵竹細工色紙箱|Basketry Box for Square Calligraphy Paper (Shikishibako) with Paulownia

Unknown

early 17th century · Lacquered bamboo basketry with gold hiramaki-e · Asian Art

The light, durable bodies of Japanese lacquered basketry works (rantai shikki) were sometimes further decorated with designs in sprinkled gold powder (maki-e), transforming everyday objects into opulent treasures. This box, designed to hold square calligraphy paper (shikishi), bears large gold paulownia crests, a popular design from the late sixteenth to the early seventeenth century associated with the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–1598).

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 17th century

Medium

Lacquered bamboo basketry with gold hiramaki-e

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015