Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet 19th century

This 19th-century "Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet" by Shibata Zeshin is a fine example of Japanese lacquerwork. The box, made of black lacquer with gold and silver inlays, features a delicate floral design, a popular motif in Japanese art. The intricate details and use of precious materials demonstrate Zeshin's mastery of the art form. This piece, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the refined aesthetics of 19th-century Japanese culture.