Description
Black lacquer and thin, iridescent, incised mother of pearl shell over a wooden shell. With time the black lacquer has faded to a dark brown. Of rectangular form with gentle outwardly flaring upturned frame and chamfered corners, resting on a thin foot rim. Inset within base of the inner and surrounded by a diamond & flower diaper ground, is a reserved panel depicting scholars and attendants meeting along a pathway in a garden grove, set among maple trees and fruiting sprays. The inner edges of the rim are decorated with a coin diaper ground and set within shaped cartouches are flower sprays of prunus or orchid blossom. The underside undecorated.
Size (cm) 36.5 x 12 x 3
16th century or earlier
Japanese wooden box
Very similar imagery can be seen on a 16-17th century lobed box and cover, which is illustrated in “An Important Collection of Chinese, Korean, Ryukyuan Lacquer – Michael C. Hughes Asian Art – New York 2006. Nevertheless this imagery is not limited to the 16-17th century and can be found on earlier Ming dynasty mother of pearl as well.