Painter's box (E-bako)
![Detail of a pattern](https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/themes/custom/nmaa/nmaa-frontend/public/images/hero-bkgrnd-desktop.jpg)
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
19th century -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Lacquer and mother of pearl -
Dimension
H x W x D: 20.3 x 17.2 x 35.8 cm (8 x 6 3/4 x 14 1/8 in) -
Accession Number
F1944.21a-f -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1944.21a-f
Object Details
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Provenance
From at least 1914-to 1943Alexander George Mosle (1862-1945), possibly purchased in Japan [1]1943-1944A. Henry Mosle (1866-1957), held a lien on Alexander George Mosle’s collection through a Deed of Trust – Chattels [2]From 1944The Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Alexander Mosle through A. Henry Mosle [3]Notes:[1] See Alexander George Moslé, “Japanese Works of Art: Armour, Weapons, Sword-Fittings, Lacquer, Pictures, Textiles, Colour-Prints, selected from the Moslé Collection” [book] (Leipzig: E. A . Seemann, 1914), vol. 1, p. 21, cat. 1681; vol. 2, pl. CVI. See also Alexander George Moslé, “The Mosle Collection: Descriptive Catalogue to be used in Connection with the Illustrations of ‘Japanese works of art’ selected from the Mosle Collection – Portfolio II” [book] (Leipzig: Poeschel & Trepte, 1933), vol. II, cat. 1681, p. 34. Alexander Mosle was a businessman who lived in Japan from 1884-1907, during which time he began collecting Japanese works of art.[2] See June 17, 1943 Deed of Trust – Chattels, between Alexander G. Mosle and Jesse Knight and Eugene W. Goodwillie, trustees on behalf of A. Henry Mosle. Alexander was indebted to his cousin Henry, and his entire collection of Japanese Art was secured as chattel for the debt under the terms of the Deed. See original Deed of Trust – Chattels in object file.[3] The Freer Gallery of Art paid A. Henry Mosle and Alexander G. Mosle separate payments on May 29, 1944, approved on May 27, 1944. See also April 28, 1944 letter from A.G. Wenley to Alexander Mosle wherein Wenley indicates which items the Freer wishes to purchase from Mosle’s inventory list. See also May 26, 1944 letter from A. Henry Mosle to Alan C. Maxwell, charging Maxwell to act as agent for Henry, in the matter of the release of the Deed of Trust – Chattels at the sale of the selected objects from Alexander’s collection to the Freer. See object file for copy of invoice, letters, and original Release of Deed of Trust - Chattels.Research updated January 12, 2023 -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Japanese and Chinese Lacquer (September 22, 1982 to June 30, 1983)Japanese Lacquer (April 16, 1979 to October 8, 1980)Bicentennial Exhibition: Japanese Art (December 15, 1975 to November 10, 1976)Japanese Ukiyo-e Painting (May 2, 1973 to July 1, 1974)Chinese and Japanese Art--Lacquer and Paintings (August 18, 1967 to October 14, 1969)Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 3 and 4 (February 25, 1956 to January 1, 1963)Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art (October 3, 1947 to February 25, 1956)Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art, 1946 (May 3, 1946 to October 6, 1947) -
Previous custodian or owner
Alexander G. Mosle (1863 - 1945)A. Henry Mosle -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Container -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
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