Base of Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum Containing Inkstone, Water-dropper, Brushes, Ink-stick Holder, and Paper Knife
Unknown Artist
late 1800s-early 1900s
Medium
Lacquer over wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e)
Classification
Lacquer
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Maud Eells Corning
Accession Number
1992.389.a
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Both functional and elegant, this is a container for an ink stone, brushes, and ink from a set of writing tools that included a larger box for paper. Against a sleek gold lacquered ground, its artist has used restraint in sprinkled powder decoration (maki-e) to produce the design of cockscomb and harvested rice on the interior of the lid.