松竹桜紋散蒔絵黒棚|Shelf for Cosmetic Boxes (Kuro-dana) with Pine, Bamboo, Cherry Blossoms, and Crests of the Matsudaira and Shimazu Families

Unknown

early 19th century · Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, and cutout gold- and silver-foil application on gold nashiji (“pear-skin”) ground · Asian Art

This display shelf was created as one of the centerpieces of a wedding trousseau that probably included more than fifty lacquer accessories and pieces of furniture, thirty-one of which were acquired by The Met in 1910. It was commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Princess Taka (1809–1862), from the wealthy and influential Shimazu clan, and a son of the Matsudaira clan, which ruled over the Kuwana domain of Ise province (present-day Mie prefecture). The two family crests on the piece—the cross shape of the Shimazu and the stylized plum flower of the Matsudaira—symbolize the union. The shelves, decorated with an unusual combination of auspicious symbols (pine, bamboo, and cherry blossoms), held mainly cosmetic boxes, including the utensils for tooth blackening (haguro), a custom of high-ranking women after their weddings.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 19th century

Medium

Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, and cutout gold- and silver-foil application on gold nashiji (“pear-skin”) ground

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, John and Pauline Gandel Gift, 2015 Benefit Fund, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest and Acquisitions Fund, 2016