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Incense container with design of plovers
Incense container with design of plovers

Incense container with design of plovers

Place of OriginJapan
Date1500-1600
PeriodMuromachi period (1392-1573)
CultureJapanese
MaterialsLacquer and gold on sea shell
DimensionsH. 1 in x Diam. 4 1/4 in, H. 2.5 cm x Diam. 10.8 cm
Credit LineTransfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Object numberB85M14.a-.b
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsDecorative Arts
On View
Not on view
Text Entries
Lacquer is commonly applied to a core made of wood; however, this incense container is made of white seashell. The red lacquer serves as the background for a group of shore birds (plovers) in flight, which are formed by the sprinkled gold powder technique (makie). The inside of the container is decorated with a traditional theme of floral sprays.