Untitled

Unknown

1850–1920 · Cast iron with relief inlay in silver, gold and shibuichi · Asian Art

On the patinated cast-iron surface of this vessel, various metal alloys are inlaid in relief to create effects of light and color. Moonlight seems to glisten on the web executed in shibuichi (an alloy of roughly three parts copper and one part silver) that fans out over the cylindrical form. A spider, in patinated shibuichi, scurries toward the outer edge of the web, where a dragonfly of inlaid copper alloy and silver with gilt copper eyes is caught on the other side. In response to sociocultural changes in the 1870s, Japanese craftspeople began to produce fine ornamental wares like this one with a focus on the Western market.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1850–1920

Medium

Cast iron with relief inlay in silver, gold and shibuichi

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891