Model Scroll Box thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Model Scroll Box

1880-1930 (made)
Place of origin

This miniature box for a handscroll is part of a Japanese Dolls' Festival (hina matsuri) set. The Dolls' Festival is traditionally celebrated by girls on 3rd March. This box contains a rolled and painted handscroll, with a decorated woven fabric backing.
The focal point of the Dolls' Festival festival is the display of dolls, miniature furniture and household accessories on tiered shelves in the home. The furniture and accessories are modelled on wedding sets which formed part of the dowry of elite women. Such sets, which usually included more than 50 objects, were intended as ceremonial showpieces to show off the family's wealth and status. They included bathing and toilet articles, items connected with clothes, writing implements and those for eating and drinking. This Dolls' Festival group consists of several incomplete sets of miniature lacquer furniture and daily utensils, to which this box belongs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Model Box
  • Model Lid
  • Model Scroll
  • Storage Box
Brief description
Woo, Japan, toys and games, lacquer.
Miniature scroll box, lacquered wood and gold hiramaki-e (lit. flat sprinkled picture), part of a hina-matsuri (Dolls' Festival) set, Japan, late 19th century-early 20th century
Physical description
Miniature box for a handscrolll in lacquered wood decorated with peonies, floral scrolls and mon (family crest) in gold hiramaki-e (lit. flat sprinkled picture) with two metal ring handles and tassels. It contains a painted scroll.
Style
Credit line
Given by Fumie Kosuge
Summary
This miniature box for a handscroll is part of a Japanese Dolls' Festival (hina matsuri) set. The Dolls' Festival is traditionally celebrated by girls on 3rd March. This box contains a rolled and painted handscroll, with a decorated woven fabric backing.
The focal point of the Dolls' Festival festival is the display of dolls, miniature furniture and household accessories on tiered shelves in the home. The furniture and accessories are modelled on wedding sets which formed part of the dowry of elite women. Such sets, which usually included more than 50 objects, were intended as ceremonial showpieces to show off the family's wealth and status. They included bathing and toilet articles, items connected with clothes, writing implements and those for eating and drinking. This Dolls' Festival group consists of several incomplete sets of miniature lacquer furniture and daily utensils, to which this box belongs.
Collection
Accession number
FE.22:1 to 4-2003

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Record createdMarch 10, 2004
Record URL
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