The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Lid of Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum

late 1800s-early 1900s

Japan

Lacquer over wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e)
Bequest of Maud Eells Corning 1992.389.b
Location: Not on view

Description

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.
  • ?-1992
    Maud Eells Corning [1908-1991], Kirtland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1992-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Japanese Gallery 235 Rotation - July 2017-January 2018. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (July 15, 2017-January 2, 2018).
  • {{cite web|title=Lid of Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chrysanthemum and Plum|url=false|author=|year=late 1800s-early 1900s|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1992.389.b