• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Sep 22, 2020
May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

蒔絵南蛮人図硯箱

c. 1800–1868

Part of a set. See all set records

Japan, Edo period

(1615-1868)

Lacquer on wood with designs in gold and silver lacquer and inlaid silver

Overall: 23 x 20.2 cm (9 1/16 x 7 15/16 in.)

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1969.59

Location

not on view

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Description

For many Japanese patrons, objects decorated with images of foreigners offered the rare opportunity to see westerners. The two men on the left were likely Portuguese traders, identifiable by their balloon-shaped pants. The man on the right is a Jesuit priest. Portuguese traders arrived in Japan in 1543 and soon after Christian missionaries began to create outposts there. By the early 17th century, Christianity was outlawed and the Portuguese were forced out of Japan. This object was created during the short period when the Portuguese were allowed in Japan.

See also
Collection: 
Japanese Art
Department: 
Japanese Art
Type of artwork: 
Lacquer
Medium: 
Lacquer on wood with designs in gold and silver lacquer and inlaid silver
Credit line: 
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund

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