Japanese
Incense Box, late 19th century
Lacquered wood, 2.7 x 7.6 cm (1 1/16 x 3 in.)
The top and bottom of this round Japanese incense box is made of black, lacquered wood. The bottom holds the incense and is plain, while the top has a slightly raised red rim and in the center, a low-relief red decoration of four large leaves with flower petals on the leaves, similar to lily pads. The stems of the leaves arise out of a series of seven undulating lines suggestive of waves. The lid’s background bears a subtle design of squares within squares. Two small sections are missing on the rim. The inside of the box contains the metal nib of a pen, and wood debris.
Tapestry Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.