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Three-case inro with design of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove

Koma School (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
Late 18th–early 19th century

Medium/Technique Black lacquer ground with densely sprinkled kinpun; decoration in gold, silver and colored hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with extensive use of gold foil and encrustation of shell (some lost); top compartment and riser red lacquer with large gold hirame; second compartment and riser aokin lacquer with large gold hirame; third compartment and riser gold lacquer with large gold hirame; shoulders and rims gold fundame
Dimensions Overall: 7.1 x 8.1 x 2 cm (2 13/16 x 3 3/16 x 13/16 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.9883
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsInro

Signed Koma Kyuhaku saku
古滿休伯作
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.