Document Box, 17^th century
Japanese, Momoyama period
Lacquer and gold maki-e
Founders Society Purchase with funds from an anonymous donor
81.1

In 1606, the wife of the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a family mausoleum on the grounds of the Kyoto temple Kodai-ji. This document box is a prime example of 16^th to early 17^th century Kodai-ji style lacquer ware, with decorations of paulownia and chrysanthemum crests among autumnal pampas grass and bush clover. Spectacular effects were achieved by sprinkling gold (maki-e) in wet lacquer to form flat modulated "pear skin" grounds accentuated by needle engraving. This daring new style of lacquer was created for the temple's furnishings and had a tremendous influence on later Japanese lacquer and painted ceramics.