As I work at the Museum, I've naturally scanned the collections for book objects. There aren't many and they aren't easy to find. They represent an interesting and diverse group from the departments of Asian Art, American Decorative Arts, Musical Instruments and European Sculpture and Decorative arts. Only one is on view at this time, so I thought I'd introduce you to these two lovely lacquer objects that are not on view, but are in the collection of the Department of Asian Art.
Incense Container (Kōgō )
in the Form of a Closed Book, with the title “Hana no En”
(Festival of the Cherry
Blossoms), Chapter 8 of The Tale of Genji
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquer on wood with shell appliqué, powdered gold and silver
Dimensions: H. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); L. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. George A. Crocker (Elizabeth Masten), 1937
Accession Number: 38.25.184a, b
Not
currently on view
The
design of this box imitates a book. Suspended from a branch of the tree is a
poem-card (tanzaku) bearing a verse from "The Festival of Cherry
Blossoms," Chapter 8 of The Tale of Genji.
Box
in the Shape of an Open Illustrated Book
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: late 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquer on wood with powdered gold
Dimensions: H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
Not currently on view
Not currently on view
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