Writing Box thumbnail 1
Writing Box thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Writing Box

ca. 1600-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
Japan (made)




Object details

Categories
Lacquerware
Containers
Object type
Writing box
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Water Dropper
  • Ink Stone
  • Writing Box
  • Tray
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Lacquered wood
Wood
Lacquering
Brief description
Writing box, wood covered in black lacquer with gold lacquer and silver leaf, with a design of ferns, Japan about 1600-1700.
Physical description
A rectangular writing box with rounded corners and slightly domed lid, made of wood covered in black lacquer with gold (low sprinkled picture) lacquer and silver foil. It is decorated on the exterior with ferns and, on the interior of the lid, with plovers (chidori) flying over swirling waves in which the moon, inlaid with pewter, is reflected. The interior with a fitted tray containing an inkstone and water-dropper in pewter; pewter rims.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.7cm
  • Length: 21.1cm
  • Depth: 16.5cm
Style
Edo (Japanese Period)
Gallery label
Writing box Wood covered in black lacquer and gold powder partly inlaid with silver, with gold hiramaki-e lacquer Ferns About 1600-1700
Subject depicted
Fern
Summary

Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
W.48-1922

About this object record

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O251427/writing-box-unknown/
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