Skip to main content

Four-case inro with design of Kiyohime and bell

(Japanese, 1767–1835)
Early 19th century
Medium/TechniqueBlack lacquer ground covered by densely packed mixed kinpun and ginpun, embellished with gold hirame; decoration in gold, aokin, silver and colored takamaki-e with encrustation of ivory for the face and an unidentified material for the bell; compartments and risers gold nashiji; shoulders and rims gold fundame
DimensionsOverall: 8.5 x 5.7 x 2.1 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/4 x 13/16 in.)
Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession number11.9978a
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.