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Nov 3, 2016
Nov 2, 2016
Nov 2, 2016
Nov 2, 2016
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia
桐に鳳凰金銀蒔絵硯箱
late 1500s
Part of a set. See all set records
Japan, Momoyama period
(1573-1615)
Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold and silver powder (maki-e) and gold and silver foil application
4 x 20.5 x 23.5 cm (1 9/16 x 8 1/16 x 9 1/4 in.)
Weight: 680 g (1.5 lbs.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2016.34
Location
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 with Phoenix in Paulownia&media=https%3A//piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di%3Fe%3D200F1C6F760C768BB025D28B6D66220859F07F57C3BADD937B29C8AF97A59550%26s%3D24247294%26se%3D1177193937%26v%3D0%26f%3D2016.34_o10.jpg){kind=small}
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In contrast to the bright, celebratory motifs on the exterior, the interior of the box invites a more reflective mood with its autumn moonlit sky over chrysanthemums.
Description
The only place the mythical phoenix will perch is in the paulownia tree. Along with the dragon, the bird is a symbol of imperial power in East Asia. This box––a container for an inkstone, brushes, and ink––is both functional and lavish, its dramatic effects achieved with a pear-skin ground decoration (nashiji) and sprinkled powder decoration in high relief (takamaki-e).
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