Incense Cabinet

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    19th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Lacquer on wood with gold and silver
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 20.6 x 16.8 x 24.5 cm (8 1/8 x 6 5/8 x 9 5/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1954.18a-d
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1954.18a-d

Object Details

  • Label

    This small portable cabinet may have stored incense woods and utensils used in games in which competitors would try to identify different mixtures of incense. All surfaces of the cabinet, including the hidden sides of the drawers, are decorated with sprinkled gold and silver over lacquer, a technique known as maki-e. Nuances of color are produced by the underlying lacquer: silver dust over red lacquer produces a lavender tone; silver dust over black lacquer produces a blue tone. The background is covered with gold powder embedded in lacquer and burnished to a smooth finish that appears to be solid gold. Traditional lacquer techniques reached a peak of technical quality and diversity during the nineteenth century.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Arts of Japan (July 14, 2012 to January 13, 2013)
    Seasons: Arts of Japan (February 5, 2011 to January 13, 2013)
    Moonlight and Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan (November 11, 2008 to November 11, 2009)
    Games, Contests and Artful Play in Japan (March 19 to October 23, 2005)
    Japanese Art of the Meiji Era (September 20, 1997 to April 26, 1998)
    Japanese and Chinese Lacquer (September 22, 1982 to June 30, 1983)
    Japanese Lacquer (18 May 1980 to 15 June 1980)
    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)
    Japanese Art, Galleries 3, 4, and 5 (January 1, 1963 to September 16, 1970)
    Ukiyo-e Exhibition (August 7, 1961 to January 1, 1963)
    Hokusai Bicentennial Exhibition (March 30, 1960 to August 16, 1961)
    Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 3 and 4 (February 25, 1956 to January 1, 1963)
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Furniture and Furnishing
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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