Box
ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The lengthy manufacturing process, the intricacy of the decorative techniques, the expense of the raw materials and the range and scale of compositions and forms further enhanced the prestige of lacquer ware and restricted its use to the wealthy elite and merchant classes. The use of techniques such as 'maki-e' (sprinkled picture) to create objects of ornate beauty and utility, as upon this incense cabinet, was pivotal to lacquer wares endorsement as a luxury commodity rather the poor quality, plain wares of the underprivileged. Incense was also appreciated only by the wealthy members of society as incense had to be imported from the mainland of Asia. The collection of various scents by enthusiasts began during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). By the Edo period (1615-1868) the incense game had reached the height of its popularity. To play four types of incense would be chosen and only three burnt. Guests would smell the original incense then compete to guess each scent that was burnt or to guess the fourth unburnt scent. To indicate their choice an ivory counter would be placed in a box and the guesses then marked down on paper.
The utensils are:
A cylindrical box for the tokens used to indicate the players' guesses
An octagonal box for incense woods
A tiered box for incense woods, shown here in its patterned silk bag
A box for all utensils
A box and cover with divisions, probably for incense woods
A block for cutting woods with a knife
The utensils are:
A cylindrical box for the tokens used to indicate the players' guesses
An octagonal box for incense woods
A tiered box for incense woods, shown here in its patterned silk bag
A box for all utensils
A box and cover with divisions, probably for incense woods
A block for cutting woods with a knife
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 27 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Lacquered wood |
Brief description | Set of utensils for the incense ceremony, wood covered in gold nashiji (pear-skin ground) lacquer with gold and silver takamaki-e (high sprinkled picture) lacquer; patterned silk bags with the design of paulownia trees, birds and rocks by a stream and family badges, Japan, about 1700. |
Physical description | Box containing a set of utensils for the incense ceremony, wood covered in gold nashiji (pear-skin ground) lacquer with gold and silver takamaki-e (high sprinkled picture) lacquer; containing a cylindrical box for the tokens used to indicate the players' guesses, octagonal box and tiered box for incense woods, box and cover with divisions, probably for incense woods and a block for cutting woods with a knife, as well as patterned silk storage bags. The lacquer is decorated with paulownia trees, birds and rocks by a stream and family badges in the form of paulownias. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Salting Bequest |
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. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The lengthy manufacturing process, the intricacy of the decorative techniques, the expense of the raw materials and the range and scale of compositions and forms further enhanced the prestige of lacquer ware and restricted its use to the wealthy elite and merchant classes. The use of techniques such as 'maki-e' (sprinkled picture) to create objects of ornate beauty and utility, as upon this incense cabinet, was pivotal to lacquer wares endorsement as a luxury commodity rather the poor quality, plain wares of the underprivileged. Incense was also appreciated only by the wealthy members of society as incense had to be imported from the mainland of Asia. The collection of various scents by enthusiasts began during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). By the Edo period (1615-1868) the incense game had reached the height of its popularity. To play four types of incense would be chosen and only three burnt. Guests would smell the original incense then compete to guess each scent that was burnt or to guess the fourth unburnt scent. To indicate their choice an ivory counter would be placed in a box and the guesses then marked down on paper. The utensils are: A cylindrical box for the tokens used to indicate the players' guesses An octagonal box for incense woods A tiered box for incense woods, shown here in its patterned silk bag A box for all utensils A box and cover with divisions, probably for incense woods A block for cutting woods with a knife |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.185-1910 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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