second half of the 19th century
Japan
Object qualities
-
Objectinterior decoration: Incense box
-
Type of arts & crafts
-
MediumGold hiramaki-e on mother-of-pearl ground
-
SizeH. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); W. 2 3/8 (6 cm); L. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
-
Geography details
Japan -
Country today
-
Datesecond half of the 19th century
-
CultureJapan
-
PeriodMeiji period (1868-1912)
Source of information
-
Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
-
Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
-
This box employs an earlier technique of sprinkling fine gold powder on mother-of-pearl inlay. This method emphasizes the contrast between the warmth of the gold and the iridescent white of the chrysanthemums. Ubiquitous in the visual arts throughout East Asia, these auspicious flowers symbolize longevity.
