Inkstone box

Inkstone box (suzuribako) consisting of: inkstone box (a-b), interior partition assembly (c), inkstone (d), water-dropper (e), and water-dropper holder (f). It is housed in a black lacquer outer box with a stained silk wrapper.

This suzuribako is a fine example of maki-e lacquer from the late Muromachi period. The design on the exterior of the lid is executed in gold and silver in low relief (takamaki-e). It depicts camellias behind a garden fence, with metal-sheathed wooden hoes in the foreground. The interior of the box is decorated in gold maki-e with a scene of a flowering plum tree growing beside a pond. A pair of frogs, an unusual motif in Japanese maki-e works, is depicted in the pond. The interior of the box is decorated with flowering plum branches and the silver water-dropper (suiteki) is cast in the form of a plum blossom.

Historical period(s)
Muromachi period, 16th century
Medium
Lacquer on wood, gold and silver flakes; silver; stone (takamaki-e)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2.7 x 14.5 x 15.3 cm (1 1/16 x 5 11/16 x 6 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — funds provided by the Friends of Asian Arts and the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1992.9a-h
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Container, Lacquer
Type

Inkstone box

Keywords
camellia, frog, Japan, Muromachi period (1333 - 1573), plum blossom, writing
Provenance

To 1992
Mr. Yoshiyuki Hosomi, Tokyo, to 1992

From 1992
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Mr. Yoshiyuki Hosomi in 1992

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Hosomi Yoshiyuki

Description

Inkstone box (suzuribako) consisting of: inkstone box (a-b), interior partition assembly (c), inkstone (d), water-dropper (e), and water-dropper holder (f). It is housed in a black lacquer outer box with a stained silk wrapper.

This suzuribako is a fine example of maki-e lacquer from the late Muromachi period. The design on the exterior of the lid is executed in gold and silver in low relief (takamaki-e). It depicts camellias behind a garden fence, with metal-sheathed wooden hoes in the foreground. The interior of the box is decorated in gold maki-e with a scene of a flowering plum tree growing beside a pond. A pair of frogs, an unusual motif in Japanese maki-e works, is depicted in the pond. The interior of the box is decorated with flowering plum branches and the silver water-dropper (suiteki) is cast in the form of a plum blossom.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use