Japanese Lacquer Box Views
Lacquer and producing lacquerware had been known to the Chinese since at least the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC – c. 1046 BC) era in China. This can be seen in the existing lacquerwares produced, mostly of ritual cups, dishes, and wooden chest boxes with a lacquer finish across the surface. Many of these priceless ancient Chinese or Japanese lacquer artifacts can be found in private collections and museums, such as the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington D.C..
Also on view in the exhibition is this box, which was made to order in Kyoto and uses the most expensive and elaborate lacquer techniques. The underside of the box's lid is inscribed with the name Maria van Diemen, wife of Anton van Diemen, the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies from 1636 to 1645. This box is unusual in that it was created for export, but takes the form of a traditional Japanese document box. The scene on the top of the lid refers to Prince Genji's coming-of-age ceremony from The Tale of Genji. (View the decoration on the lid of the box.) The ox-draw cart at the lower right corner of the lid refers to Genji being brought to the emperor, who is shown seated on the porch at the upper left corner.
Japanese lacquer has been a part of the country
Vintage 50s Japanese wood and black lacquer music box jewelry box. This item is an adorable yet decadent wind up music box with red velvet lined compartments for jewelry. A red velvet trim lines a mirror set into the top above a tray with ornate wooden lids with blue tassel handles. This musical jewelry box is decorated with an elegant gold and black Japanese water color seascape with islands on which temples and other structures are drawn. The sea has a background color composed of the red black lacquer
Japanese Lacquer Box Images
