Japanese Chrysanthemums Correspondence Cards

Description

Decorated lacquerware has been cherished in Japan from earliest recorded history, and is still produced today using age-old techniques. The glowing design on these correspondence cards is adapted from an elegant lacquer box in the Museum’s collection.

25 gold-embossed white correspondence cards and 25 white envelopes per box. 6 1/4'' x 4 7/8''.

Art History

In early Japan, everyday objects such as bowls for serving wine and food, storage and stationery boxes, and accoutrements for makeup and hairdressing were transformed into gorgeous, glistening luxury goods through the application of gold and silver decoration, mother-of-pearl, and other precious materials. Gold and silver in powder form were either mixed in to form gold or silver lacquer, or carefully dusted over the lacquer surface while drying by means of a technique called maki- e (literally, “sprinkled painting”).