Ryoshibako

Ryoshibako, Paper box

Mid Edo Period (1615-1867) 18th century

Lacquer decorated with silver and gold hiramaki-e 

38.5 x 28 x 12 cm

The Ryoshibako is decorated with an evocative landscape representing a bush with some typical autumn plants, as pampas grasses and chrysanthemums, under the light of a crescent moon with a design that is repeated also on the four sides. The wooden background, with the visible grain,  well represents the dark sky of an autumn night.

Depictions of autumn landscapes have been popular in Japan since Muromachi period (1336-1573) and are often linked with suffering love as this season inspires a sense of romantic sadness.

Sku: Lac-1250