An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownialate 1500s
The only place the mythical phoenix will perch is in the paulownia tree. Along with the dragon, the bird is a symbol of imperial power in East Asia. This box––a container for an inkstone, brushes, and ink––is both functional and lavish, its dramatic effects achieved with a pear-skin ground decoration (<em>nashiji</em>) and sprinkled powder decoration in high relief (<em>takamaki-e</em>).
In contrast to the bright, celebratory motifs on the exterior, the interior of the box invites a more reflective mood with its autumn moonlit sky over chrysanthemums.
Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold and silver powder (maki-e) and gold and silver foil application
4 x 20.5 x 23.5 cm (1 9/16 x 8 1/16 x 9 1/4 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In a serene realm where legends come to life, the mythical phoenix, with its radiant feathers glimmering like the first light of dawn, waits for the most exquisite perch: the stately paulownia tree. This tree, graceful and resilient, serves as a steadfast guardian of the sky and a symbol of renewal and strength. In the rich tapestry of East Asia, the phoenix is not alone; it is accompanied by the fierce dragon, together embodying the essence of imperial power, a bond of majesty that has flourished through time.
Nestled amidst this narrative of grandeur lies an object of extraordinary craftsmanship—a box, seemingly simple, yet brimming with purpose and opulence. This box, designed to cradle an inkstone, brushes, and ink, reveals a world of artistry at first glance. Its surface, adorned with the soft elegance of a pear-skin ground decoration, known as *nashiji*, shimmers like dew-kissed grass under the morning sun. The delicate sparks of gold sprinkle across the surface, carefully applied in a technique called *takamaki-e*, where the raised areas catch the light, creating a mesmerizing dance between shadow and gleam.
Every line and curve of this box tell a story, a tale of artistic devotion and cultural reverence. It whispers of those who wielded their brushes within its embrace—the strokes of ink shaping letters, poems, and dreams. In the stillness of its presence, we encounter the spirit of tradition, each element intertwined in a celebration of art and the lived experience of generations past. It is more than a box; it is a testament to the harmony of function and beauty, a vessel that holds the very essence of creativity and imperial legacy.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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