蝶漆絵根来瓶子|Sake Vessel (Heishi) with Butterflies

Unknown

15th century · Wood with black and red lacquer; gold leaf application · Asian Art

Ritual sake bottles, made in pairs, were used in Shinto shrines to offer sake to the deities. Most of these sake vessels are Negoro lacquers. This heishi is black lacquer with butterflies painted in red lacquer. The pattern suggests that the sake vessel might have been used in a Bugaku music and dance performance, where butterflies are common motifs.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th century

Medium

Wood with black and red lacquer; gold leaf application

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015