蝶蒔絵小箱|Box with Butterflies and Ferns

Unknown

second half of the 19th century · Silver, gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e mother-of-pearl inlay · Asian Art

Probably designed to hold tea ceremony utensils, this rectangular box (chabako) is densely decorated with a rich pattern of ferns and butterflies. The butterflies are executed in the gold and silver technique known as hiramaki-e (“flat sprinkled picture”) as well as in fine mother-of-pearl inlay. They appear in different sizes, shapes, and wing patterns, while the ferns take the form of an arabesque foliage pattern. Colorful butterflies often appear in Moore’s designs.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half of the 19th century

Medium

Silver, gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e mother-of-pearl inlay

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

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