Japan: Lacquer

detail of base of cover, diameter 10.3cm

J02
Bowl and three covers
Kodaiji lacquer
early Edo period, 17th century
diameters 13.3cm, 11.8cm, 11.0cm and 10.3cm

 
Kodaiji lacquer, in gold, red and black on wood, the exterior of each with hiramakie and takamakie designs of pines, suzuki grasses, clouds, waving banners, waves and waterwheels on a nashiji ground. The interior of each is in a plain red lacquer. The design on the base of the three covers incorporates the paulownia crest of the empress, the widow of Hideyoshi. With wood box.
 

ex. Kyoto, 1972, and brought to Australia by Jane Carnegie

 
note: the petal ratio for the paulownia mon of the empress is 7:5 as shown, the central tier with seven petals and the flanking tiers five each