Wanli period, 1573-1620
H. 11.5 x Diam. 21.6 cm (4 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.)
Lacquer on wood with decoration in gold and sabi urushi (thick lacquer paste) utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design) and takamaki-e (high-relief sprinkled design) techniques, and with sprinkled raden (mother-of-pearl) flakes
16th-17th centuryJapanesePale greenish white nephrite
18th-19th centuryChineseLacquer on wood with decoration in gold and silver utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design), nashiji ("pear-skinned" ground), and e-nashiji (pictorial "pear-skinned" ground) techniques, and with applied kirigane (cut gold and silver); metal fittings and silk cord
18th centuryJapaneseHuangpu ware: light gray stoneware with dark brown glaze. From the Huangpu kilns, Tongchuan, Yaozhou county, Shaanxi province
9th centuryChineseWood with inscribed characters in gold on lid and interior
18th centuryChineseWood, secured with wooden pegs, and with brass fittings
19th centuryKoreanLacquer on wood with decoration in sabi urushi (thick lacquer paste) and gold utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design) technique and with appliqués of lead foil and raden (mother-of-pearl) inlays; stone and copper fittings
16th-17th centuryJapaneseBrass
19th centuryPersianEnameled blue-and-white ware, "wucai" type: porcelain with decoration painted in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze polychrome enamels; with underglaze cobalt-blue mark reading "Da Ming Wanli nian zhi" within a double circle on the base
16th-17th centuryChineseLacquer on wood with decoration in gold, silver, and sabi urushi (thick lacquer paste) utilizing the hiramaki-e (low-relief sprinkled design), takamaki-e (high-relief sprinkled design), and nashiji ("pear-skinned" ground) techniques, with applied kirigane (cut gold and silver) and with shibuchi (copper-silver alloy), brass, silver, and coral inlays; stone, metal, and enamel fittings
18th centuryJapaneseLacquered wood with brass fittings and with inlays of mother of pearl, tortoiseshell, twisted wire, and metal filings
19th-20th centuryKoreanYue ware: light gray stoneware with celadon glaze over incised decoration. From the Yue kilns at Shanglinhu, Zhejiang province.
10th centuryChinese