Cosmetics box
Category
Objets de vertu
Date
C. 1800 - 1899
Materials
Japanese lacquer (urushi) decorated with gold and silver and with attached silver rings.
Measurements
120 mm (H)152 mm (W)126 mm (D)
Place of origin
Japan
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1247162.7
Summary
Outer box of a cosmetics box (tebako) set, lacquer decorated with gold and silver and with silver rings on the sides, rectangular with an overhanging lid (kabusebuta), made in Japan, 19th century. Decorated on its lid and sides with vignettes of pine, bamboo and blossoming prunus (the ‘three friends of winter’ or shōchikubai) next to a stream in gold and silver low- and high-relief lacquer (hiramaki-e and takamaki-e respectively) against a ground of orange-toned lacquer with gold flakes (‘pear-skin ground’ or nashiji)
Provenance
Given by Queen Mary (1867–1953) to Dame Margaret Greville DBE (1863–1942) and bequeathed by the latter to the National Trust. Listed as being in the Tea Room at Polesden Lacey in the 1943 probate inventory (p. 29).
Marks and inscriptions
To lift out small boxes, take out / tray and push finger through hole at bottom (inscribed on note inside box)