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Five-case inro with design of musical instruments and musicians' caps

early to mid-18th century
Medium/TechniqueBlack lacquer ground; decoration in gold and silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with kirikane and larger areas of gold foil; compartments and risers gold nashiji; shoulders and rims gold fundame
DimensionsOverall: 9.8 x 4.3 x 3 cm (3 7/8 x 1 11/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession number11.9910
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsInro
Collections
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.