Inkstone Box (Suzuribako) with Monkey-and-Persimmon Fan Design

Unknown artist

Mid Edo period, early 18th century

Lacquer on wood with decoration in gold, silver, and sabi urushi (thick lacquer paste) utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design), takamaki-e (high-relief sprinkled design), and nashiji ("pear-skinned" ground) techniques, with applied kirigane (cut gold and silver) and with shibuchi (copper-silver alloy), brass, silver, and coral inlays; stone, metal, and enamel fittings

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A rectangular inkstone box and a square box are decorated with intricate gold and silver designs on a speckled black and gold lacquer ground. The inkstone box features a dark oval inkstone, a blue and silver floral motif, and a branch with flowers. The square box is adorned with a raised gold fan design. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Elaine Ehrenkranz Collection of Japanese Lacquer Boxes; Gift of Elaine Ehrenkranz