Artwork preview

Box for Inkstone and Writing Implements (Suzuribako) with Geese against Mount Fuji in Moonlight and (inner lid) with Plovers by the Seashore

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rectangular box with a lid, predominantly gold, black, and gray colors. The box lid depicts a landscape: a large mountain, likely Mount Fuji, on the left side; a large gray moon in the top-right corner against a black and gold sky; and a body of water with small waves in the foreground. The landscape includes several gold-painted hills or dunes in the foreground. The inner lid of the box shows a beach scene with several small birds, likely plovers, standing on the shore. The box appears to be made of lacquerware, with intricate designs and patterns throughout. The background behind the box is a plain grey color.

Artwork Details

Date
early to mid-19th century
Medium
Black lacquer ground with gold and silver maki-e
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
468 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette