Zeslobbige doos, zwarte lak met een gestileerde bloem in goud makie 1700 - 1800

This six-lobed box, now in the Rijksmuseum, is made with black lacquer and a stylized gold makie flower, crafted by an anonymous artist. The key to understanding it lies in the technique: lacquer, a painstaking process of applying many layers of sap from the lacquer tree, creates a lustrous, durable surface. The gold makie decoration—where gold dust is sprinkled into wet lacquer—adds a layer of visual richness, and would have been a labor-intensive, highly skilled addition. The flower isn't just painted on; it's embedded in the surface. Consider the value placed on patience, precision, and the mastery of materials. These processes have imbued the artwork with cultural significance. Although the box itself is small, the amount of work involved in the production process suggests an object of considerable value.