桃山時代 幾何蒔絵螺鈿洋櫃|Chest with a Single Drawer
Unknown Artist
late 16th–early 17th century
Medium
Gold lacquer with hiramaki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay; gilt copper fittings
Dimensions
H. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm); W. 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm); L. 19 7/16 in. (49.4 cm)
Classification
Lacquer
Culture & Period
Japan · Momoyama period (1573–1615)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Barbara and William Karatz Gift, 2008
Accession Number
2008.182a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite chest with a single drawer exemplifies the opulence of Japan's Momoyama period (1573–1615), a time of political unification and cultural splendor marked by bold, lavish artistry. Crafted in the late 16th to early 17th century, it reflects the era's fascination with Western influences—note the "yō" in its Japanese title, hinting at a foreign-inspired form possibly introduced via Portuguese Nanban trade—while showcasing native mastery in lacquerwork. Adorned with geometric patterns, birds, and leaves, the chest served as a luxurious storage vessel, perhaps for cherished tea ceremo...