Click here to view image
Ikeda Taishin, Japan, Period Meiji (around 1891-98)
Esocarpo di zucca decorticato ed essiccato, laccato a rilievo (kiji-takamakie): lacca nera opaca, lucida e granulata (ishime), lacca ad imitazione lamina di peltro e stagno, atsugai, tsukegaki (esterno) – lacca nera opaca (interno); a. 8,5 Ø max 11,5 cm
In storage (inv.no. L-15)
Edoardo Chiossone Collection, testamentary bequest, 1898
furnishings
The pumpkin-shaped treat box was made to be employed during the tea ceremony by artist Ikeda Taishin (1825-1903), appointed Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu Gigei-in帝室技芸員) in 1896.
It’s been made out of a pumpkin exocarp: the shell has been cut transversely so that it could be used as a lid, while the insides of the pumpkin have been emptied out, levigated and let dry. The decoration in relief on a natural wood background have been made using thick, carved mother of pearl, powder sprinkled with gold, shiny, opaque and granulated black lacquer (ishime), grey dry lacquer powder in two hues imitating inlays in pewter and tin foil. The design represents a fresh, intact pumpkin flower and two pumpkin leaves, one shiny and plump, the other brownish, rotten. The inside of the box is coated in black semi-matte black lacquer with a greasy, waxy look.
