Shikishi (square calligraphy paper) Box with Design of Flowers and Praying Mantis

Black square paper with a gold and silver design. The design features a praying mantis among plants with large gold leaves and thin stems. A gray and white wavy line runs horizontally across the center. The border is gold with small dots. Gold, silver, and black colors are present.

Artwork details

Date:: second half of the19th century
Medium:: Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cutout gold foil application, mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer ground
Culture:: Japan
Dimensions:: 521 × 625 px
Museum record:: View original