Incense Box with Chrysanthemums

Japan

Not on view

This box employs an earlier technique of sprinkling fine gold powder on mother-of-pearl inlay. This method emphasizes the contrast between the warmth of the gold and the iridescent white of the chrysanthemums. Ubiquitous in the visual arts throughout East Asia, these auspicious flowers symbolize longevity.

Incense Box with Chrysanthemums, Gold hiramaki-e on mother-of-pearl ground, Japan

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Incense Box with Chrysanthemums, Gold hiramaki-e on mother-of-pearl ground, Japan
Incense Box with Chrysanthemums, Gold hiramaki-e on mother-of-pearl ground, Japan

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.