Artwork preview

Case (Inrō) with Design of Elephant on Brocade Pattern (obverse); Person with Wide Hat and Hoe (reverse)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Red lacquer inro case with rounded corners rectangular shape. The front displays an elephant on a brocade pattern. The elephant is centered with a large body and a visible ear and tusk. The brocade background features a detailed geometric design. The back depicts a person wearing a wide hat and holding a hoe. The person stands on a ground with hat in one hand and hoe in the other. The background includes wavy lines, possibly clouds or water. The inro case is divided into five horizontal sections. It has a black cord handle at the top. The case exhibits a shiny finish with raised designs. The background behind the case is plain.

Artwork Details

Date
18th–19th century
Medium
Lacquer, carved tsuishu; Interior: roiro
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
600 × 439 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette

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