Arkivism
Cosmetics box
Public domain

Cosmetics box

Shirayama Shosai · 1890 - 1900 · wood (plant material); lacquer (coating); gold (metal); silver (metal); mother of pearl

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Shirayama Shosai was a celebrated lacquer artist active around 1900 and known for his absolute mastery of lacquer techniques. For this box he used many tones of gold and silver to represent, for example, the subtle shades of the lotus leaves. The lotus is a symbol of purity and thus appropriate as a base for the Buddhist deity on the lid.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
box
Credit lineCosmeticadoos. 1890 - 1900. Shirayama Shosai. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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