Small Box
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The butterfly is a graceful autumn image that is reflected in the flamboyant stylised quality of the box in plain gold 'fundame' (fine metal powder that gives a matte appearance). The fluttering butterflies on the interior of the box are highly detailed and well executed, dramatically contrasting to the more stylized and simple imagery of the exterior. On opening the box the design would have been an exciting surprise with the intricate detailing and realism of the images replicating real butterflies. Symbolically the butterfly is representative of ‘xi-hu-mianmian’ (continuous wealth) in China and Japan as well as being a seasonal motif. Such butterfly motifs appeared durimg the Heian (897-1185) and Kamakura periods (1192-1333).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Lacquered wood |
| Brief description | Small box in the form of a butterfly with outstretched wings, wood covered in gold lacquer and decorated with floral scrolls and chrysanthemums, Japan, 1700-50. |
| Physical description | Small box (kobako) in the form of a butterfly with outstretched wings, wood in gold lacquer decorated with floral scrolling of chrysanthemums and vines in takamaki-e (high sprinkled picture). |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | butterfly, chrysanthemums, karakusa |
| Style | |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | The butterfly is a graceful autumn image that is reflected in the flamboyant stylised quality of the box in plain gold 'fundame' (fine metal powder that gives a matte appearance). The fluttering butterflies on the interior of the box are highly detailed and well executed, dramatically contrasting to the more stylized and simple imagery of the exterior. On opening the box the design would have been an exciting surprise with the intricate detailing and realism of the images replicating real butterflies. Symbolically the butterfly is representative of ‘xi-hu-mianmian’ (continuous wealth) in China and Japan as well as being a seasonal motif. Such butterfly motifs appeared durimg the Heian (897-1185) and Kamakura periods (1192-1333). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.341-1910 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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