Bowl Item Number: Ed5.1512 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Round shallow bowl on raised single ring foot. Bowl is of very thin wood, lacquered dull red/orange. On upper surface is design of two cranes with pine shrubs in two shades of gold, with touches of red and black. Cranes are in low relief; remainder of design is flat.

History Of Use

This bowl is an example of the takamakie type of lacquer work, in which gold is applied over a design in lacquer ware is produced from the relief. Refined sap of the lac tree, applied in layers over a base of wood or cloth, each layer being polished. The first makie (gold) lacquer work is known to have been produced in the 10th century. Relief makie was first made during the Kamakura Period (1185-1338 C.E.).