Case (Inrō) with Design taken from 'Fang Shi Mopu' (Book of Ink Cake Designs) (obverse); Large Jar on Stand (reverse) 19th century

This Inrō case, inspired by the designs of Fangshi Mopu, presents a microcosm of cultural symbols. On one side, a tiered jar atop a stand evokes the ancient Chinese ritual vessels, the 'ding,' symbols of power, authority, and connection to ancestors. Consider how the humble jar, elevated and adorned, transcends its utilitarian function. The layering of tiers mirrors the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia or even the Tower of Babel. We see how the human aspiration to reach the heavens, to bridge the earthly and divine, is a recurring motif. The vessel as a symbol of containment and transformation has appeared in various forms, from alchemical retorts to the Holy Grail. Reflect on how these symbols, once potent with meaning, are transformed into mere ornament, revealing a culture's evolving relationship with its past. Their cyclical reappearance reminds us that nothing is ever truly lost; symbols merely lie dormant, waiting to be awakened in new contexts.