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Title

Covered box decorated with lychee sprays

late 16th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of Covered box decorated with lychee sprays by

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    China
    Period
    Jiajing 1522 - 1566 → Ming dynasty 1368 - 1644 → China
    Date
    late 16th century
    Media category
    Lacquerware
    Materials used
    carved cinnabar lacquer with black lacquer interior
    Dimensions
    3.6 x 7.0 cm
    Credit
    Purchased 1989
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    339.1989
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    The wooden body of this box has been covered in many layers of red lacquer and the design carved in relief. The technique has been used in China for centuries, while this particular shape derives from ceramic seal-paste containers. This box was purchased in Japan by a private collector, and thus is included here as an example of 'creative adaptation' ('mitate') by Japanese tea practitioners who would have used it as an incense box ('kogo') to contain the slithers of imported fragrant wood used to scent a room.

    The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.210.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    China

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication