Suntory Museum of Art
About the Museum
Collection
Notable Works
Mirror stand with autumn flower design in maki-e

Notable Works

Lacquerware

Mirror stand with autumn flower design in maki-e

Click on the photograph for a larger image

Place of production or style: Kōdaiji maki-e
Number of components: 1
Dimensions (in cm): W. 28.0, D. 26.6, H. 61.7
Date of production: Momoyama period Early 17th century

This is a classical example of a combined mirror stand and cosmetics box from early modern times in Japan. The mirror stand is inserted into holes in the top panel of the base with the mirror resting on the upturned brackets. Black lacquer has been applied to the whole surface, which is primarily hiramaki-e, in which the gold is sprinkled on the lacquer surface in very low relief, harigaki engraving, and e-nashiji, use of the nashiji or pearskin technique of sprinkling the surface with coarse gold flakes to create motifs. Flowering chrysanthemum, Chinese bellflower, bush clover, silver grass (Japanese pampas grass), Patrinia, and other autumn flowers are depicted on the five surfaces of the mirror rest and base. This is a fine example of the Kōdai-ji maki-e technique. The continuous decoration on all four sides of the base and the detailed depiction suggest that the work dates from a period when Kōdai-ji maki-e had evolved.

Notable Works

Mirror stand with autumn flower design in maki-e

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART