Inrō with Bamboo Grove 1834 - 1866

"Inrō with Bamboo Grove" is a small, intricately carved and lacquered box created by Yūtokusai Gyokkei, a prominent Japanese lacquer artist, between 1834 and 1866. The inrō, a traditional Japanese container for small items, is crafted from wood and features a delicate depiction of a bamboo grove in black lacquer on a gold-toned background. The intricate details and masterful application of lacquer highlight Gyokkei's exceptional skill in this art form, while the subject matter of bamboo symbolizes resilience and strength, a common theme in Japanese art. This exquisite inrō, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the refined aesthetic sensibilities of Edo-period Japan.