Three-case inro with design of a cormorant with a crayfish in its beak

Iizuka School (Japanese)

mid-late 18th century

Medium/TechniqueSilver lacquer ground; decoration in gold, black and red takamaki-e with kinpun; compartments and risers silver lacquer; shoulders and rims gold fundame

DimensionsOverall: 6.7 x 7.2 x 1.4 cm (2 5/8 x 2 13/16 x 9/16 in.)

Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession number11.9915

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsInro

Collections

Asia

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.