Inro
ca. 1775-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The inro is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men wore the inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle). They originally used it to hold their seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However, it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use. Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides.
The main decoration was on the outside surfaces. In rare cases, makers also decorated the the risers, which were only seen when the tiered sections were separated. On this inro, the maker has decorated the outside with peonies in lacquer and oil painting. By contrast, the risers show bamboo, waves and clouds in lacquer imitating ink painting. In this way the maker has provided a contrast in the colour, technique, height and texture of the decoration.
The main decoration was on the outside surfaces. In rare cases, makers also decorated the the risers, which were only seen when the tiered sections were separated. On this inro, the maker has decorated the outside with peonies in lacquer and oil painting. By contrast, the risers show bamboo, waves and clouds in lacquer imitating ink painting. In this way the maker has provided a contrast in the colour, technique, height and texture of the decoration.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Polychrome lacquer and oil painting, the lacquer imitating ink painting |
Brief description | Inro, polychrome lacquer and oil painting, black and silver lacquer, flowers, ca.1775-1850 |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Pfungst Gift |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | The inro is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men wore the inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle). They originally used it to hold their seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However, it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use. Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides. The main decoration was on the outside surfaces. In rare cases, makers also decorated the the risers, which were only seen when the tiered sections were separated. On this inro, the maker has decorated the outside with peonies in lacquer and oil painting. By contrast, the risers show bamboo, waves and clouds in lacquer imitating ink painting. In this way the maker has provided a contrast in the colour, technique, height and texture of the decoration. |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.173-1922 |
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Record created | March 7, 2003 |
Record URL |
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