Untitled

Unknown

early 19th century · Inner tray of ivory, sprinkled gold lacquer, inlaid metal, shell and colored lacquer · Asian Art

The old couple beneath the pine depicted on the book-shaped cover refer to the legent of the spirit of the gods of Sumiyoshi and Takasago. On the ivory inner tray is a still-life arrangement of Noh mask, mask box, hand drum and props for the auspicious dance of the old man in the play Okina. Around the sides of the box is a scattering of plum blossoms, pine cones and bamboo leaves, a delightful reference to the auspicious "Three Friends of Winter", the pine, bamboo and plum, which gladden the winter with their evergreen foliage and early blossom and are thus emblematic of long life and fortitude.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 19th century

Medium

Inner tray of ivory, sprinkled gold lacquer, inlaid metal, shell and colored lacquer

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936