Cosmetics Box with Chrysanthemums
In China, the chrysanthemum was historically appreciated for its association with the Double Nine Festival and the reclusive life of the poet Tao Yuanming (AD 365-427). In Japan, the 16-petaled chrysanthemum came to symbolize the Japanese imperial family after Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239) chose the motif as his personal emblem, having it applied to his sword and everyday utensils. This box proves that the flower also appeared on lacquer wares as early as the Kamakura period.
Details
- Palette
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Select a color to find related artworks.
- Medium
- lacquer on wood
- Dimensions
- overall: height 0.176 m, width 0.29 m, depth 0.228 m
- Department
- Japanese Art
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Image provider
- cleveland-museum-of-art
- License
- CC0-1.0
- Credit
- John L. Severance Fund
Art Genome Taxonomy
10 tags
Subject Matter
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Flora Both · 99%
Chrysanthemum blossoms, leaves, and stems are repeatedly visible across the lid and body, and the catalog identifies the decoration as chrysanthemums.
Visual Qualities
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Patterns Visual · 97%
Chrysanthemum sprays recur across the lid and sides in organized clusters and bands, producing a repeated decorative pattern.
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Shiny/Glossy Visual · 91%
The dark lacquered surface shows highlights and reflections along the lid, front panel, and rounded edges.
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Dark Colors Visual · 96%
The box is dominated by a deep black-brown ground that contrasts with the warm ochre-gold floral decoration.
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Highly Ornamented Visual · 90%
Nearly all visible surfaces are covered with repeated floral motifs and fine stems, leaves, and buds.
Time Periods
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1000 - 1400 CE Art Metadata · 93%
The catalog dates the object to the early 1300s, within the 1000–1400 CE period.
Geographic Regions
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Japanese Art Metadata · 99%
The catalog identifies the place of origin as Japan and classifies the work under Japanese Art.
Materials
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Wood Metadata · 98%
The catalog specifies lacquer on wood as the medium.
Tableware, Vessels, and Objects
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Container Both · 99%
The catalog identifies the object as a cosmetics box, and the image clearly shows a lidded rectangular storage container.
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Household Objects Both · 90%
The object is a functional domestic cosmetics box, and its compact enclosed form is visibly designed for storage.
Source & rights
Unknown artist. Cosmetics Box with Chrysanthemums. Cleveland Museum of Art.